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The nursing profession continues to be challenged by acts of incivility, but the future can be different. In fact, nurse educators can have an impact on that future by helping teach students some evidence-based strategies for addressing incivility before students enter the real world of patient care. Such steps are imperative; research has shown detrimental effects on patient safety resulting from uncivil acts among nurses.
 
In their research on the topic, Cynthia Clark, PhD, RN, ANEF, FAAN, ATI Nursing Strategist, with co-author Karen L. Gorton, PhD, RN, FNP, Associate Professor, University of Missouri at Kansas City, combined three specific techniques to help educators prepare students: cognitive rehearsal, HeartMath, and simulation using the TeamSTEPPS CUS model. The result? Students were able to build the resiliency necessary for handling acts of negative behavior.

“Although this study was conducted in only one school of nursing with limited follow-up teaching,” writes Drs. Clark and Gorton, “the results are promising for this type of educational intervention to mitigate uncivil behaviors in patient care areas.” They urged educators to provide civility education in conjunction with their tested techniques to help face the scourge of incivility that is compromising patient care. 

You can access the article in the Journal of Nursing Education.