Addressing Workplace Incivility: Facilitating Nursing Students ‘Transition to the Health-Care Setting

Workplace incivility is a known cause of anxiety in the workplace, leading to the loss of many new members of the nursing field. This perpetual cycle of hiring and losing nurses, especially new graduates, contributes to the increasing nursing shortage. This study investigated whether the inclusion of prelicensure nursing education on workplace incivility is achievable and capable of improving the outcome for nurses when it occurs. Review of the literature revealed that inclusion of prelicensure education on this topic is possible through utilization of a zero-tolerance policy, Cognitive Rehearsal Technique (CRT), and simulation. Education on workplace incivility and the aforementioned formats for prelicensure education were presented to faculty of a Southeastern U.S. college. Respondents demonstrated interest in detailed instruction on incorporating it into their teaching.