Citation

Evans D. J. Nurs. Scholarsh. 2017; 49(2): 214-222.

Affiliation

Associate Director, Undergraduate Division, UNC Charlotte School of Nursing, Charlotte, NC, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing)

DOI

10.1111/jnu.12275

PMID

28079970

Abstract

PURPOSE: To examine turnover intentions, as well as the prevalence and frequency of uncivil behaviors, from the perspective of registered nurses, respiratory therapists, and imaging professionals, using a new method to categorize exposure magnitude. DESIGN AND METHODS: Data were collected using the 22-item Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised (NAQ-R). Additional items, informed by Price and Mueller's causal model of turnover, were included, as were select demographic variables. The final sample included 170 healthcare professionals. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the sample, a chi-square test was constructed to test for significant differences in exposure to uncivil behavior based on demographics, and Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel statistics were used to test associations between variables and calculation of raw sum scores to implement a new method of analysis for the NAQ-R, allowing for categorization of exposure magnitude.

FINDINGS: Exposure to uncivil behavior was reported more often among nursing staff than other healthcare professionals. Lack of exposure to uncivil behavior was a significant predictor of intention to stay. Perceptual differences were found between nurses prepared at the baccalaureate and associate degree levels. Lastly, no significant correlations between exposure to uncivil behavior and selected demographic variables were found, suggesting that exposure is not dependent upon age, race, unit type, or educational level.

CONCLUSIONS: Findings support prior research associating negative organizational climate with higher turnover intentions. Uncivil behavior was reported across the organization, most predominantly among units staffed with nurses. Finally, use of newly defined cutoff points for the NAQ-R provide organizations with the ability to use both subjective and objective data to identify targets of uncivil behaviors to construct meaningful interventions. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: There is a need to develop more meaningful interventions to support targets of uncivil behaviors. Use of the NAQ-R, coupled with the proposed cutoff scores, allows for the identification of targets, the magnitude of exposure, and the construction of meaningful primary, secondary, and tertiary intervention programs that may improve turnover and quality of care.

© 2017 Sigma Theta Tau International.

Language: en

Keywords

Bullying; health care; incivility; intention; interventions