NR 500 Week 7 Cultivating Healthful Environments

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Chamberlain University

NR-500: Foundational Concepts & Applications

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Incivility in the Workplace: NR 500 Week 7 – Cultivating Healthful Environments

Nurses often work in environments that are hostile and uncomfortable, which makes it difficult for them to carry out their duties effectively. They are often the targets of abusive and inappropriate behaviors that undermine their well-being and their ability to provide quality patient care. This issue is crucial for any healthcare organization to address, as it can have significant repercussions for both the individuals involved and the organization as a whole. Addressing incivility is essential because when nurses are subjected to such negative treatment, it can lead to organizational failure and compromised patient care. The aim of this discussion is to conceptualize the problem of incivility in nursing and to explore appropriate strategies for mitigating these issues in healthcare environments.

The Concept of Incivility

Incivility in the workplace refers to repeated behaviors that are disrespectful, abusive, insulting, or intimidating towards colleagues. Such behaviors can range from passive aggression to verbal insults and can include a lack of support for coworkers (McNamara, 2012). While it is crucial to understand what civility is in the context of professional relationships, recognizing the extent of incivility within healthcare settings presents unique challenges. Research indicates that a significant number of nurses are exposed to uncivil behaviors in their work environments, which can contribute to a toxic atmosphere that harms both individuals and the organization.

Importance of the Issue to Nursing

The issue of workplace incivility in nursing is of great concern due to its far-reaching consequences. When nurses experience incivility, it can lead to a hostile work environment where they feel unsupported and unsafe. This, in turn, may result in increased absenteeism, job dissatisfaction, and, ultimately, voluntary turnover (Al-Omari, 2015). Nurses who face persistent mistreatment may decide to leave their jobs or even the profession altogether. From an organizational perspective, high turnover rates lead to significant financial losses due to recruitment and training costs, as well as decreased productivity and higher rates of absenteeism (Lachman, 2015). More critically, incivility has a direct impact on patient care. Nurses who are subjected to hostile work environments may experience high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, which can affect their ability to provide quality, patient-centered care. Furthermore, the poor professional interactions resulting from incivility can weaken organizational management and hinder overall patient outcomes (McCormack & McCance, 2017).

Illustrative Scenario of Incivility

A personal example illustrates the profound impact of incivility on nurses. A former colleague, who had worked on the floor for two years, endured significant hostility due to remarks about his sexual orientation, especially during his transition from female to male. His personal journey became the subject of gossip and inappropriate comments from coworkers and even some patients. As a passionate nurse who had initially chosen the profession to care for others—having cared for his terminally ill sister—he found it increasingly difficult to continue in an environment filled with negativity. Over time, the continuous harassment and bullying led to insecurities about his career and ultimately to absenteeism as he sought therapy to cope with the stress. Despite changing jobs, the same issues persisted, and he eventually left the nursing profession altogether due to the profound impact on his mental health and work performance. This scenario underscores the negative effects that incivility can have not only on the individual but also on the broader healthcare system.

NR 500 Week 7 Cultivating Healthful Environments

Strategies for Creating a Healthful Environment

Creating a more healthful environment in healthcare settings requires addressing incivility through education and organizational strategies. Training programs that raise awareness about the issue of workplace incivility are crucial. These programs equip nurses with the skills to recognize uncivil behavior and to respond appropriately, ensuring that their welfare, as well as that of the organization and patients, is protected. Techniques such as role-playing can help nurses prepare for interactions with difficult coworkers, enabling them to handle such situations more effectively (Warrner et al., 2016). Furthermore, organizations must implement and enforce codes of conduct that promote respectful behavior and ensure that all employees, particularly leaders, are held accountable for fostering a civil work environment. The Joint Commission’s Sentinel Event Alert (2008) advocates for a culture of safety, which includes zero tolerance for any form of incivility. Additionally, the presence of whistleblowing systems allows employees to report uncivil behaviors without fear of retaliation, further supporting a culture of accountability and respect.

Strategies for the Specialty Track

In nursing education, particularly within the Education Program track, there are additional strategies to address workplace incivility. Nurses in educational roles must model civil behavior and adhere to ethical standards that promote respect and professionalism. Developing a culture of respect begins with integrating these values into the training and everyday practice of nurses. By creating an environment where moral values are emphasized, nurses can be encouraged to respect their colleagues and to respond to incivility in a constructive manner. This, in turn, can help establish a positive, supportive work environment that benefits both staff and patients.

Conclusion

Incivility in the workplace is a serious issue that negatively affects nurses, healthcare organizations, and patient care. The impact of incivility can result in job dissatisfaction, high turnover, absenteeism, and compromised patient outcomes. Addressing this issue requires practical strategies, including training programs that increase awareness and improve responses to incivility, the enforcement of ethical codes of conduct, and the empowerment of victims. By fostering an environment rooted in respect and accountability, healthcare organizations can mitigate the damaging effects of incivility and cultivate a healthier, more productive workplace for nurses. Ultimately, ensuring the well-being of nurses is essential to providing high-quality, patient-centered care.

References

Al‐Omari, H. (2015). Physical and verbal workplace violence against nurses in Jordan. International nursing review, 62(1), 111-118.

American Nurses Association. (2015). Incivility, bullying, and workplace violence [Position Statement]. Retrieved from https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/nursing-excellence/official-position-statements/id/incivility-bullying-and-workplace-violence/

Chamberlain College of Nursing. (2016). Chamberlain College of Nursing Masters of Science in Nursing Conceptual Framework. Retrieved from https://www.chamberlain.edu/docs/default-source/academics-admissions/catalog.pdf

NR 500 Week 7 Cultivating Healthful Environments

Lachman, V. D. (2015). Ethical issues in the disruptive behaviors of incivility, bullying, and horizontal/lateral violence. Urologic Nursing, 35(1), 39-42.

McCormack, B., & McCance, T. (2017). Person-centered practice in nursing and health care: Theory and practice (2nd ed.). Oxford: Wiley Blackwell.

McNamara, S. A. (2012). Incivility in nursing: Unsafe nurse, unsafe patients. AORN Journal, 95(4), 535-540. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aorn.2012.01.020

Warrner, J., Sommers, K., Zappa, M., & Thornlow, D. K. (2016). Decreasing workplace incivility. Nursing Management, 47(1), 22-30.