Workplace Incivility as an Extensively Used, But Seldom Defined Concept in Nursing

Incivility is a prevalent and on rise, but yet vague problem in healthcare settings..
This study aimed to explore the perception of nurses about workplace incivility via description of actual experiences..
This is a qualitative study with a content analysis approach. Participants were 34 nurses selected through purposive sampling. The data was collected using semi-structured interviews and field notes in training hospitals in Iran. The rigor of the study was established by principles of credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability..
Data analysis resulted in 975 codes. The classification of the codes resulted in 3 themes. Missed ring in system, working in the shadow of fear, and being scapegoats are the main features to describe the meaning of workplace incivility from the nurses’ perspective..
The finding provided basic information to understand the meaning of incivility. Based on the finding, invisibility, unsafe environment, and the carelessness of the other personnel may be perceived as incivility..