Incivility in nursing is any rude, disrespectful, or unprofessional behavior that occurs between nurses, or between nurses and other healthcare professionals. It can take many forms, from subtle comments and body language to more overt acts of hostility and aggression.
Incivility is a serious problem in nursing because it can have a negative impact on nurses, patients, and the quality of healthcare. For nurses, incivility can lead to stress, burnout, and turnover. It can also lead to physical and mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For patients, incivility can lead to medical errors, poor quality of care, and decreased satisfaction with care.
Prevalence of Incivility in Nursing
Studies have shown that incivility is a widespread problem in nursing. One study found that over 80% of nurses reported experiencing incivility in the past year. Another study found that nurses are more likely to experience incivility than other healthcare professionals.
Incivility can occur in all types of healthcare settings, but it is more common in settings with high workloads, staffing shortages, and workplace stress. It is also more common in settings with a culture of incivility.
Types of Incivility in Nursing
Incivility in nursing can take many forms, including:
- Verbal abuse: This includes making rude or disrespectful comments, using sarcastic or condescending language, and yelling.
- Nonverbal abuse: This includes making eye contact, rolling your eyes, and using negative facial expressions.
- Physical abuse: This includes hitting, pushing, and shoving.
- Harassment: This includes making unwanted sexual advances, spreading rumors, and gossiping.
- Discrimination: This includes treating people differently because of their race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or sexual orientation.
- Bullying: This includes repeated and persistent intimidation, harassment, or physical abuse.
Impact of Incivility on Nurses and Patients
Incivility can have a negative impact on both nurses and patients.
Impact on Nurses
Incivility can lead to a number of negative consequences for nurses, including:
- Stress and burnout: Incivility can create a stressful and hostile work environment, which can lead to stress, burnout, and turnover.
- Physical and mental health problems: Incivility can also lead to physical and mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
- Decreased job satisfaction: Incivility can make nurses feel disrespected and undervalued, which can lead to decreased job satisfaction and engagement.
Impact on Patients
Incivility can also have a negative impact on patients, including:
- Poor quality of care: Incivility can distract nurses and make it difficult for them to provide high-quality care.
- Medical errors: Incivility can also lead to medical errors, as nurses may be less likely to speak up if they are concerned about being mistreated.
- Decreased satisfaction with care: Incivility can also make patients feel disrespected and uncomfortable, which can lead to decreased satisfaction with care.
Causes of Incivility in Nursing
There are many factors that can contribute to incivility in nursing, including:
- Work-related factors: This includes heavy workloads, staffing shortages, workplace stress, and a lack of resources.
- Organizational factors: This includes poor leadership, lack of communication, and a culture of incivility.
- Personal factors: This includes personality traits, work-life balance, and personal stress.
Consequences of Incivility in Nursing
The consequences of incivility in nursing can be serious and far-reaching. For nurses, incivility can lead to:
- Physical and mental health problems
- Job dissatisfaction and engagement
- Turnover
For patients, incivility can lead to:
- Poor quality of care
- Medical errors
- Decreased satisfaction with care
Incivility can also have a negative impact on the healthcare system as a whole. It can lead to increased costs, as nurses may be more likely to take sick leave or leave the profession altogether. It can also damage the reputation of healthcare organizations and make it difficult to attract and retain staff.
Strategies to Prevent and Address Incivility in Nursing
There are a number of strategies that can be used to prevent and address incivility in nursing, including:
Individual strategies
- Nurses can learn assertiveness skills and how to set boundaries.
- Nurses can also learn how to communicate effectively and resolve conflict.
- Nurses should report incivility to their supervisors or other appropriate authorities.
Organizational strategies
- Healthcare organizations can create a culture of respect and professionalism. This can be done by setting clear expectations for behavior, providing training on incivility prevention, and enforcing policies against incivility.
- Healthcare organizations can also provide support to nurses who are experiencing incivility. This can include providing access to counseling and other resources.
Policy and regulatory strategies
- Governments can develop policies and regulations to address incivility in nursing. This can include requiring healthcare organizations to have policies in place to prevent and address incivility, and providing funding for incivility prevention programs.
Conclusion
Incivility in nursing is a serious problem that can have a negative impact on nurses, patients, and the quality of healthcare. There are a number of strategies that can be used to prevent and address incivility in nursing, including individual, organizational, and policy and regulatory strategies.
FAQs
Q.What are some examples of incivility in nursing?
Some examples of incivility in nursing include:
- Making rude or disrespectful comments to other nurses
- Using sarcastic or condescending language
- Rolling your eyes or making negative facial expressions
- Spreading rumors or gossip about other nurses
- Excluding other nurses from social activities
- Taking credit for other nurses’ work
- Bullying or intimidating other nurses
Q.What can I do if I am experiencing or witnessing incivility in nursing?
If you are experiencing or witnessing incivility in nursing, you should:
- Report the incident to your supervisor or other appropriate authorities.
- Talk to a trusted colleague or friend about what is happening.
- Seek support from a mental health professional if needed.
Q.What are some resources available to help me cope with incivility in nursing?
There are a number of resources available to help nurses cope with incivility, including:
- The American Nurses Association (ANA) has a website dedicated to incivility prevention: https://healthyworkforceinstitute.com/contact/
- The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) has a position paper on incivility in the workplace: https://www.nursingworld.org/~49baac/globalassets/practiceandpolicy/nursing-excellence/official-policy-statements/ana-wpv-position-statement-2015.pdf
- The National Center for Healthcare Leadership (NCHL) has a toolkit on incivility prevention: https://www.myamericannurse.com/bullying-toolkit-available/
Q.How can organizations create a more civil work environment for nurses?
Organizations can create a more civil work environment for nurses by:
- Setting clear expectations for behavior
- Providing training on incivility prevention
- Enforcing policies against incivility
- Providing support to nurses who are experiencing incivility
