The Professional Plague of Incivility: A Christian Nursing Response

Incivility negatively affects the nursing profession, healthcare organizations, and patient safety. Civility is a key biblical teaching. We propose Christian nurses engage in five scripturally-based responses to incivility to promote a healthy workplace and to discern when it may be time to leave a toxic setting. By asking God for wisdom, engaging in self-reflection, promoting civility, managing incivility, and trusting God, nurses can create environments that reflect both professional standards and Christian values. Two case studies are offered with exploratory questions and specific Scripture passages that address incivility in clinical and academic settings.