Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 15, 2026

Using Visual and Narrative Methods to Achieve Fair Process in Clinical Care
Published on: February 16, 2011
Leadership in Action: Exploring Nurse Leaders' Experiences and Practices in Creating Civility: A Constructivist
Marianne Ota1, Julia Gilbert1, Louisa Lam1,2,3
1Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University Australia, Mt Helen Campus P.O. Box 663, Ballarat, 3353, Victoria, Australia, federation.edu.au.
Background:
Civility is essential to ensuring the wellbeing of nurses and the delivery of quality patient care. Given that nurse leaders influence the behaviours and expectations of nurses in their teams within health and aged care settings, further insight is needed in understanding the practices of nurses holding leadership positions in creating civility.
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of nurse leaders in promoting and maintaining civility in nursing care teams in Australian regional and rural health and aged care settings.
Methods:
Using a constructivist grounded theory methodology, 11 regional and rural nurse leaders in Victoria, Australia, were individually interviewed. Interview transcripts, recordings and memos were analysed using reflexivity and constant comparison to inform the substantive theory.
Findings:
The substantive theory titled ACTS Theory for Creating Civility in Nursing conceptualises the practices of nurse leaders in creating civility across four elements (acknowledge, communicate, teach and support). Acknowledging individual skills and personal circumstances, practising compassionate communication, role-modelling acceptable behaviours and providing support were core practices in fostering civility.
Discussion:
Ongoing implementation and evaluation of precepting, mentoring, and professional accountability programmes aimed at improving nurse leaders' communication and leadership skills is needed to address this ongoing workforce issue.
Related Concept Videos
Nurses' Legal Responsibilities III
Cultivating a culture of collaboration and mutual respect among nurses transcends mere enhancement...
Patient-centered Care
Critical Thinking I
Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice
Theories provide a perspective to assess patients' conditions and organize data and methods. They also assist in analyzing and interpreting information. They represent a...
Nurses' Legal Responsibilities II
Communication between nurses and...
Nursing Code of Ethics

