A descriptive study of faculty-to-faculty incivility in nursing programs in the United States

Incivility has become a major societal issue and over the last two decades more researchers have examined the incidence and prevalence of incivility in higher education. There has been significant research on faculty and student incivility in nursing programs (Atmiller, 2012; Clark, 2008a, 2008b, 2008c), but literature is lacking on faculty-to-faculty incivility in nursing programs.

This descriptive study examined the incidence of faculty-to-faculty incivility in nursing programs in the United States. Additionally, this study sought to determine the physical and emotional effects of faculty-to-faculty incivility.

Originally the study participants were recruited using a stratified cluster sampling, but this resulted in a low response rate. A new methodology used a convenience sample to enlist participants attending a nursing education conference. The Workplace Incivility/Civility Survey collected data on the incidence and prevalence of faculty-to-faculty incivility. Open-ended questions were added to the survey to capture the emotional and physical responses to acts of incivility.

Analysis of the data indicated that workplace incivility is perceived as a moderate to severe problem. The participants shared their experience with faculty-to-faculty incivility and the emotional and physical effects that resulted from the incident.

Faculty-to-faculty incivility continues to be an issue in nursing education. The number of studies that have examined incivility in nursing education continues to grow. It is important to examine this issue as it impacts the ability to address the nursing shortage and meet the health care needs of the nation. Further research is needed to identify if there is a relationship among faculty-to-faculty incivility and job satisfaction or intent to leave.