Incivility in Nursing: an Examination of Causes, Impacts, and Solutions

Introduction

Hey there! Let's dive into a topic that's pretty important in the healthcare world—incivility in nursing. It's like this growing problem that can seriously mess with how things work in hospitals and clinics. We’re talking about stuff like nurses being rude to each other or just acting unprofessional. And you know what? This doesn’t just hurt the nurses—it can even put patients at risk! So, let's break it down: why is this happening, what kind of mess does it create, and how do we fix it? By getting a grip on what's really going on here, we can help make nursing a better gig for everyone involved.

Causes of Incivility in Nursing

Alright, so why do nurses sometimes act uncivilly? It's not as simple as you might think. For starters, nursing is super stressful. I mean, long shifts and dealing with life-or-death situations would stress anyone out, right? That pressure cooker environment can lead to burnout and short tempers. Then there’s the whole hierarchy thing in hospitals—nurses often feel powerless compared to doctors and administrators. It’s like no one listens to them, which only adds fuel to the fire.

And let’s face it—not everyone has great people skills. Some folks just don’t know how to talk things out or keep their emotions in check. When you've got a mix of stressed-out people who can't communicate well, you've got a recipe for trouble. Plus, if the hospital culture doesn't prioritize respect and teamwork, it's like giving incivility a free pass.

Impacts of Incivility on Healthcare

You might be wondering—does it really matter if nurses are a bit rude now and then? Oh boy, does it ever! Nurses who deal with or witness incivility tend to be less happy at work. They might even quit, which means hospitals have to deal with high turnover rates. All this drama affects patient care too—stressed-out nurses aren’t exactly giving their best performance.

The toxic vibe from incivility makes open communication go down the drain. That's bad news because good teamwork is key for patient safety and satisfaction. Research backs this up; hospitals where incivility runs rampant often see more medical mistakes and unhappy patients (Clark et al., 2011; Laschinger et al., 2014).

Solutions to Address Incivility

So what can we do about it? Tackling incivility isn’t something one person can handle alone—it takes teamwork at all levels. On an individual level, nurses should work on their emotional intelligence and communication skills (Goleman, 1995). Maybe some training programs could help here?

On the organizational side of things, hospitals need clear policies against uncivil behavior and leaders who walk the talk when it comes to respect and accountability (Rosenstein & O'Daniel, 2005). Lastly, big organizations like nursing boards could set some rules that promote a healthy work atmosphere.

Conclusion

In conclusion—yes, incivility is a big issue in nursing that's deeply rooted in stress-filled work environments and communication gaps. But here's the good news: by focusing on personal growth, creating fair workplace policies, and setting industry standards for civility—we can make strides toward solving this problem.

References

• Clark C.M., Olender L., Cardoni C., & Kenski D. (2011). Fostering Civility in Nursing Education and Practice: Nurse Leader Perspectives.
• Laschinger H.K.S., Wong C.A., Regan S., Young-Ritchie C., & Bushell P.A.L.C.E.O.S.A.L.E.T.E.R.I.N.E.T.E.D.B.I.V.I.L.I.T.Y (2014).
• Goleman D.P., (1995). Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ.
• Rosenstein A.H., & O'Daniel M., (2005). Disruptive Behavior & Clinical Outcomes: Perceptions of Nurses & Physicians.