Nursing Faculty Perceptions of and Responses to Student Incivility

Nursing Faculty Perceptions of and Responses to Student Incivility by Lori Theodore MSN, Drexel University, 2010 BSN, Kaplan University, 2007 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education Walden University December 2015 Abstract Student incivility has become a problem in nursing schools around the country. Researchers have noted that uncivil behavior that goes unaddressed may compromise the educational environment. Nursing faculty have differing standards about uncivil behavior; thus, students experience inconsistencies in approaches to incivility. The purpose of this mixed-methods explanatory study was to explore nursing facultyStudent incivility has become a problem in nursing schools around the country. Researchers have noted that uncivil behavior that goes unaddressed may compromise the educational environment. Nursing faculty have differing standards about uncivil behavior; thus, students experience inconsistencies in approaches to incivility. The purpose of this mixed-methods explanatory study was to explore nursing faculty experiences with, understandings of, and responses to student incivility. The conceptual framework was Clark’s continuum of incivility and the conceptual model for fostering civility in nursing education. Descriptive analysis of the level and frequency of uncivil behaviors of nursing faculty members (17 full-time and 15 part-time), as measured by the Incivility in Nursing Education-Revised survey, indicated that faculty most frequently experienced uncivil behaviors at the lower end of the continuum and rarely encountered those at the higher end. A purposeful sample of 12 faculty members (10 full-time and 2 part-time) participated in semistructured interviews, and data were open coded and analyzed thematically. Stress was identified as a contributing factor to student incivility, and faculty responses varied based on the learning environment. Nursing faculty expressed the need for more consistency in responding to student incivility. Based on the research findings, a 3-day professional development workshop on promoting civility in the academic environment was created. By learning practical ways to respond to, and possibly prevent, uncivil behavior in student nurses, workshop participants have the potential to positively affect the lives of future nurses, the health care personnel with whom they will work, and the patients for whom they will care. Nursing Faculty Perceptions of and Responses to Student Incivility by Lori Theodore MSN, Drexel University, 2010 BSN, Kaplan University, 2007 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education Walden University October2015 Dedication I would like to dedicate this to my dad who passed away while I completing my project study. Daddy, you are my best friend, my cheerleader, my inspiration, and my hero. None of my accomplishments would have been possible without your love and unending support. It was hard to pick up the pieces, but I knew that you would want me to continue. I know you are in Heaven cheering me on and will be walking beside me when I graduate with my EdD. Miss you, Daddy, and love you always. Acknowledgments First and foremost, I would like to thank God for giving me the strength to get this far. Dr. Paul Englesberg (committee chair), I cannot thank you enough for being my guiding light through this process. You have spent countless hours patiently working with me, advising me, and making sure I met my full potential. Dr. Tom Cavanagh (2nd committee member), your, kindness, calm spirit, and wisdom were deeply appreciated during this process. Dr. Mary Howe (URR), your meticulous feedback and attention to detail strengthened my study. Friends and coworkers, thank you for cheering me on and truly making this project study possibly. Max, thanks for keeping me company.