On faculty incivility in nursing education: a conceptual model

Colaizzi's phenomenological method for qualitative study was used to describe nursing students' lived experiences with uncivil encounters with nursing faculty. Seven current and former nursing students from various levels of nursing education were interviewed to investigate their perceptions of faculty incivility in nursing education and to examine the emotional and behavioral impact the perceived incivility had on them. Three major themes emerged regarding faculty incivility: 1) behaving in demeaning and belittling ways, 2) treating students unfairly and subjectively, and 3) pressuring students to conform to unreasonable faculty demands. Three major themes emerged from students' emotional responses to faculty incivility: 1) feeling traumatized, 2) feeling powerless and helpless, and 3) feeling angry and upset. Behavioral responses are also reported. A conceptual model is presented to illustrate the findings. Recommendations for further research are included.