Beware of Uncharitable Speech: Perceptions of Newly Graduated Nurses regarding their Experiences of Academic Incivility between and among Nursing Students in Undergraduate Nursing Education

Abstract

The perceptions of newly graduated nurses regarding their experiences of academic incivility between and among nursing students in undergraduate nursing education were explored in this qualitative descriptive study. Six newly graduated registered nurses shared their experiences of academic incivility between and among nursing students in their undergraduate nursing programs. Online public domain data with specific content pertaining to experiences of academic incivility were also gathered. Four main categories resulted from the data analysis including Not Here to Make Friends, Nobody Stood Up, Making it to the End, and The Role of Nursing Faculty. Highlights of this study include an increased understanding of the nature, context, and factors contributing to the experiences of academic incivility between and among nursing students in undergraduate nursing education. A unique perspective on the lasting effects of academic incivility on the participants’ current nursing practice is revealed. Key implications for nursing education are also described.