Building a Culture of Respect: Integrating Bullying Awareness into Nursing Curricula

Anecdotal evidence, from nurses’ undergraduate studies or when they begin their careers in academia, shows the lack of discussion about horizontal violence and bullying within the curriculum (Huang et al., Citation2025). Many nurses are unaware of the prevalence of these issues, with few having been educated about them. It is often only during their practical placements that they receive warnings from experienced nurses about whom to watch out for and how to respond if such incidents occur (Yosep et al., Citation2024). This oversight in preparing nurses for the realities of the nursing profession raises concerns, especially considering the high attrition rates during the first two years of practice after graduation (Scheepers et al., Citation2025). Incorporating discussions about horizontal violence, bullying and strategies to manage, including integrating into the curriculum, could be a valuable approach to address this issue.