Incivility at work: a risk to patient safety and nurse well-being

Nurses find themselves on the receiving end of bad feeling – whether passive aggression or overt bullying – from colleagues as well as patients and the public

A scolding in front of other colleagues… a snigger, sigh or the silent treatment. Are these acts of incivility just ‘part of the job’ or something more serious?

Incivility can be overtly bullying or aggressive behaviour. It can also be covert, for example the rolling of eyes, ignoring someone or speaking over them. These behaviours dent staff morale and individuals’ confidence in their abilities, and create a feeling of apathy towards colleagues and patients.

Incivility from patients and from colleagues

Studies suggest up to 90% of healthcare staff encounter incivility