Workplace bullying is increasingly recognized as a serious problem in society. Reports from the mainstream media and professional press suggest that there is growing evidence that the extent of bullying, harassment and violence among healthcare workers is widespread (UNISON, 2003). Chaboyer, Najman and Dunn (2001) explain that although nursing in Australia is now considered a profession, the use of horizontal violence, intimidation and aggression in nursing interactions has been identified as a problem serious. Levett-Jones (cited in Clare, White, Edwards, & van Loon, 2002) explains that victims of bullying within the nursing profession are often registered nurses, with 25% reporting negative experiences. Bullying behavior often makes the workplace a dangerous, frightening and abusive environment and has a devastating effect on the nurse, the healthcare team and the patient. This essay will address the issue of bullying within the nursing profession, with a particular focus on the experiences of registered nurses. Historical, social, political and economic factors will be explored to better understand the origins of this trend. The subsequent impact of bullying on nursing practice will be analyzed and recommendations for practice, supported by current literature, will be provided. Workplace bullying is defined as any type of repetitive abuse in which the victim of the bullying behavior experiences verbal abuse, threats. , humiliating or intimidating behaviors, or behaviors that interfere with one's job performance and are intended to endanger the health and safety of the victim (Murray, 2009). Bullying can take many forms, some blatant, others more subtle. The researchers...... middle of article ......?index=0&did=532653361&SrchMode=1&sid=6&Fmt=4&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1213856928&clientId=13118Simone, S. (2008) . Workplace bullying experienced by Massachusetts registered nurses and the relationship to intention to leave the organization. ANS Advances in Nursing Science, 31(2). Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18497581 Stevens, S. (2002). Nurse retention: challenging a culture of bullying. Health Affairs, 21(5): 189-193. Sunderland, L. and Hunt, L. (2001). Intimidation: A little-known and widely traveled path by nurses. Australian Nursing Journal, 9(2), 39-40.UNISON. (2003). Bullying at work. Retrieved from http://www.unison.org.uk/acrobat/13375.pdf Yildirim, D. (2009). Bullying among nurses and its effects. International Journal of Nursing, 56(4), 504-511. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19930081