Navigating the nursing incivility epidemic: Understanding and addressing incivility in nursing education

Abstract

Nurse educators must address the uncivil behaviors that disrupt the learning process. This may help to prevent students from becoming desensitized and enculturated to incivility. Beginning early in nursing education may reverse the trend and decrease the eventual deleterious effect on the profession. Interventions to address incivility in nursing education include: role modeling, communication, civility training, and developing civility codes. It is imperative that nursing educators create safe learning environments where students feel comfortable to hold discussions, ask questions, and engage in civil discourse. For the past 40 years, this topic has been explored, and evidence-based interventions have been developed. It is time to embed these interventions into nursing curriculum. By doing so, we can cultivate a culture of civility and professionalism in nursing education that benefits students and the profession and ultimately patient care outcomes. This comprehensive approach will ensure a more respectful and effective learning environment for future nurses.