Workplace bullying is increasingly recognized as a serious problem in society. Reports in the general media and professional press suggest that there is growing evidence that the extent of bullying, harassment and violence among healthcare staff 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, bullying and aggression in nursing interactions has been identified as a serious problem. Levett-Jones (as cited in Clare, White, Edwards, & van Loon, 2002) explains that the recipients or victims of bullying in the nursing profession are often graduate nurses, with 25% of graduates reporting negative experiences. Bullying behavior often makes the workplace a harmful environment, full of fear and abuse and has a devastating effect on nurses, healthcare staff and patients. This essay will discuss the issue of bullying within the nursing profession, with a particular focus on the experiences of graduate nurses. We will explore the historical, social, political and economic factors that contribute to better understanding the origins of this trend. The subsequent impact of bullying on nursing practice will be analyzed and recommendations for practice will be provided, supported by current literature. Workplace bullying refers to any type of repetitive abuse in which the victim of the bullying behavior is subjected to verbal abuse, threats, humiliating or intimidating behavior, or behavior that interferes with work performance and is intended to put health and safety at risk. victim safety (Murray, 2009). Bullying can take many forms, some overt, others more subtle. The researchers have...... half of the 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 its relationship to intent to leave the organization. ANS Advances in Nursing Sciences, 31(2). Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18497581Stevens, S. (2002). Nursing workforce retention: challenging the culture of bullying. Health Affairs, 21(5): 189-193. Sunderland, L., & Hunt, L. (2001). Bullying: an unrecognized path, much traveled by nurses. Australian Nursing Journal, 9(2), 39-40.UNISON. (2003). Bullying at work. Retrieved from http://www.unison.org.uk/acrobat/13375.pdfYildirim, D. (2009). Bullying among nurses and its effects. International Nursing Review, 56(4), 504-511. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19930081