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Newly qualified graduate nurses’ experiences of workplace incivility in Australian hospital settings
Mammen, Bindu Hills, Danny J. Lam, Louisa
Mammen, Bindu
Hills, Danny J.
Lam, Louisa
Abstract
Background
Workplace incivility is a well-documented issue of concern known to negatively impact on new graduate nurses’ confidence, which in turn may affect the quality of patient care. However, there is lack of qualitative research that solely focuses on workplace incivility experiences of new graduate registered nurses enrolled in graduate nurse programs.
Aim
This paper aims to explore new graduate nurses’ experiences of workplace incivility while enrolled in graduate nurse programs
Method
A descriptive-qualitative method was used to discover the ‘who, what, and where’ of events and experiences, and assist in understanding the perceptions of newly qualified nurses, through face-to-face, in-depth interviews. After transcription, the interviews were analysed by thematic analysis.
Findings
Four major themes emerged: ‘realising vulnerability’, ‘sensing self actualisation’, ‘changing expectations’, and ‘yearning for respect, support & information’.
Discussion
Our interpretations of what participants said suggest that workplace incivility is an extant issue in nurses’ supportive graduate year, with the temporary employment status offered by the graduate nurse program being identified as a major contributing factor. Paradoxically, the relatively short duration of clinical rotation was also found to be a morale booster, as the new graduate nurses knew that any conflict experienced would cease, which therefore acted as a decisive factor for their continuation in nursing.
Conclusion
This study has provided more depth and insight into the experiences of incivility experienced by new graduate nurses, highlighting that the role of temporary employment as a major causative element for exposure to workplace incivility. Graduate nurse programs could be strengthened, with additional support provided for each rotation and throughout the graduate year.
Keywords
workplace incivility, co-worker incivility, graduate nurses, graduate nurse program, experiences, perspectives
Date
2018
Type
Journal article
Journal
Collegian
Book
Volume
25
Issue
6
Page Range
591-599
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
Published as green open access
License
File Access
Open
Controlled
Controlled