BACKGROUND: Bullying in nursing is not a new phenomenon and nursing students are not exempt from its effects, however there is limited literature that deals directly with bullying of nursing students within the clinical environment in New Zealand. Quality clinical placements are vital to facilitate the link between theory and practice whilst working in complex healthcare settings.
AIM: The purpose of this article is to present the experiences described by nursing students regarding the nature and extent of bullying during clinical placements.
DESIGN: This study employed a cross-sectional survey design using an electronic survey in which this paper focuses on the textual data provided by nursing students from across New Zealand. Data was analysed by coding and grouping into themes.
RESULTS: There were numerous uncivil behaviours students were subject to during clinical placements. The consequences of these behaviours had physical, psychological and financial implications for students, with some suggestions that they choose to leave the nursing profession.
CONCLUSIONS: Predominantly the practice setting is clearly not nurturing enough for nursing students; a situation unlikely to change in the near future. Hence academic institutions must be proactive in developing students' ability to address incivility in these environments and to educate their own staff on how to recognise and respond to bullying in the clinical arena.