Can a comprehensive code of conduct discourage incivility in nursing students?
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BACKGROUND: This article discusses problems associated with incivility in nursing education and a proposed implementation strategy designed to decrease uncivil acts of student behavior. PROBLEM DESCRIPTION: Like most colleges across the nation, this nursing program was experiencing an increase in acts of student incivility. OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS: Incivility, also called bullying, may include behaviors such as name calling, side conversations, and condescending language. METHOD: The sample consisted of 94 third-semester nursing students and 6 faculty members. The Incivility in Nursing Education survey was used as a tool to measure student and faculty perceptions. DATA ANALYSIS: Data from pre- and postimplementation surveys demonstrated scientific evidence of both faculty and student perception and a significant decrease in acts of uncivil behavior in the nursing program. LIMITATIONS: Because the study was limited to one nursing program and included only third-semester nursing students, the results of the study may not be transferable to all nursing programs. CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed a reduction in perceived uncivil acts of behavior in the nursing program by faculty and students.