- Reflect on an experience in which you were directly involved or witnessed incivility in the workplace and answer all questions/criteria with explanations and detail.
- Provide a brief synopsis of the situation.
- Describe how the situation made you feel. Discuss your response or the response of others involved.
- What were the consequences of this situation? Provide an example of how this affected the work environment and outcomes.
- How could the situation have been prevented? Discuss evidence-based strategies to support a healthy work environment.
- Integration of Evidence: Integrate relevant scholarly sources as defined by program expectations:
- Cite a scholarly source in the initial post.
Brief Synopsis of the Situation
In my previous role as a registered nurse at a busy urban hospital, I witnessed an incident of incivility involving a senior nurse and a new graduate nurse. The senior nurse, frustrated with the new nurse’s perceived lack of speed and efficiency, berated her in front of patients and other staff members. The senior nurse used harsh language, criticized the new nurse’s competence, and questioned her decision to pursue nursing as a career.
Emotional Impact and Responses
The situation made me feel deeply uncomfortable and concerned about the work environment. The new nurse was visibly upset, teary-eyed, and seemed to lose confidence in her abilities. Other staff members were silent, likely due to fear of becoming targets themselves or exacerbating the situation. I felt a mix of empathy for the new nurse and frustration towards the senior nurse for her unprofessional behavior.
My response was to approach the new nurse after the incident to offer support and reassurance. I also reported the incident to our nursing supervisor, emphasizing the need for intervention to prevent future occurrences.
Consequences of the Situation
The immediate consequence was a noticeable drop in morale among the nursing staff. The new nurse took a leave of absence shortly after the incident, citing stress and anxiety. This led to increased workload and stress for the remaining staff. The hostile environment fostered a culture of fear and reduced teamwork, negatively impacting patient care quality and efficiency.
Prevention and Evidence-Based Strategies
This situation could have been prevented through the implementation of evidence-based strategies to support a healthy work environment. One effective approach is the adoption of a zero-tolerance policy for incivility and bullying, as recommended by the American Nurses Association (ANA). This policy should be coupled with training programs focused on communication, conflict resolution, and stress management to equip staff with the skills to handle interpersonal conflicts constructively.
Another strategy is the establishment of a support system for new nurses, including mentorship programs where experienced nurses guide and support their less experienced colleagues. Research has shown that mentoring can improve job satisfaction and retention rates among new nurses (Nowrouzi-Kia et al., 2020).
Integration of Evidence
According to Clark (2019), incivility in healthcare settings can lead to severe consequences, including decreased job satisfaction, increased turnover rates, and compromised patient safety. Implementing comprehensive workplace policies and fostering a culture of respect and collaboration are crucial steps toward mitigating these issues.
References
Clark, C. M. (2019). Fostering civility in nursing education and practice. Sigma Theta Tau International.
Nowrouzi-Kia, B., Isidro, R., Chai, E., Usuba, K., & Colantonio, A. (2020). The quality of work life of registered nurses in Canada and the United States: A comprehensive literature review. International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, 26(1), 55-76.