Licensed practical nurses' experiences of incivility while working in acute care settings: A scoping study

Workplace incivility toward registered nurses is well documented, yet the experiences of licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and equivalent roles in acute care settings remain understudied, despite their essential contributions to the nursing workforce. This scoping study examined published literature on workplace incivility experienced by LPNs in acute care and identified gaps in the evidence. Studies were included if they focused on LPNs (or similar roles such as licensed vocational nurses, enrolled nurses, or second-level nurses), employed in an acute care hospital, reported at least one incident of incivility, and were in English. Mental hospitals were excluded. A comprehensive search of CINAHL, PubMed, and Scopus was conducted in April 2025 and updated in January 2026 using terms including licensed practical nurse, LPN, LVN, practical nurse, enrolled nurse, acute care, hospital, and workplace incivility (or bullying, horizontal/lateral violence). Guided by Arksey and O'Malley's framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, 94 records were screened by title and abstract; 19 underwent full-text review, and four studies met final eligibility. These studies identified physical assaults, incivility, and intra-professional role conflict. LPNs faced higher risks than registered nurses. These elevated risks were associated with facility complexity, unclear role boundaries, and inadequate communication. Workplace violence, incivility, and role conflict emerged as interconnected hazards that compromised patient care focus and staff confidence. Evidence specific to LPNs remains limited. Clearer role delineation, stronger transition support, and attention to organizational culture are needed to protect LPNs and patient safety.