Incivility

It is the belief of Northeastern Junior College’s Nursing program that a safe work/school environment promotes physical and psychological wellbeing. It is our policy to promote a learning and work environment that is positive, healthy, and free from hostility and abuse, verbal or physical. As we strive to create a culture of respect and civility, NJC Nursing program has a zero-tolerance policy for any behavior that is verbally or physically abusive, which could interfere with learning and work performance. It is our belief that those who witness incivility, bullying or workplace violence and don’t acknowledge it, choose to ignore it or fail to report it are themselves perpetuating it. 

Incivility, bullying and workplace violence of any kind will not be tolerated. Employees, faculty, students and contracted individuals such and clinical supervisors, who report such instances will not be subject to retaliation, discrimination or termination for reporting their concerns to administration of the NJC Nursing Program. 

If incivility, bullying or workplace violence is experienced personally or witnessed it should be reported immediately to faculty, or administration. This includes instances which take place: on NJC campus, at any clinical location, bullying of classmates via phone or social media, during a study group session, or any other situation which would violate a safe school/workplace environment. 

All reports of incivility, bullying or workplace violence will be taken seriously and will be reviewed and investigated. If it is found that incivility, bullying or workplace violence did in fact take place, the participating person or group will be counseled and an incident report will be initiated. Per policy, three incident reports will result in dismissal from the program. 

Examples of actions which may be considered incivility (Clark, C, Springer. P. 2007. “Thoughts on Incivility Student and Faculty Perceptions of Uncivil Behavior in Nursing Education” Nursing Education Perspectives, Vol 28, No. 2 

In-class Disruption 

• Disrupting others by talking out of turn 
• Making negative remarks/disrespectful comments toward faculty or other students 
• Leaving early or arriving late 
• Using cell phones 
• Sleeping/not paying attention 
• Bringing children to class 
• Wearing immodest attire 
• Coming to class unprepared 

Out of class disruption 

• Verbally discrediting faculty 
• Turning in late assignments without proper notification 
• Sending inappropriate emails to faculty 
• Not keeping scheduled appointments 
• Complaining about constructive feedback 
• Making veiled threats toward faculty or other students

Faculty Behavior 

• Making condescending remarks 
• Acting superior and arrogant 
• Criticizing students in front of peers 
• Threatening to fail students  

Possible Causes of Incivility 

• High-stress environment 
• Lack of professional, respectful environment 
• Faculty arrogance 
• Sense of entitlement among students 
• Student not really interested in nursing 
• Not being clear about expectations 
• Competitiveness 
• Lack of immediacy to address incivility 
• Distance learning environment