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

Background: Incivility is a prevalent and on rise, but yet vague problem in healthcare settings. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the perception of nurses about workplace incivility via description of actual experiences. Methods: 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. Results: 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. Conclusions: 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.