Impact of workplace incivility in hospitals on the work ability, career expectations and job performance of Chinese nurses: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to investigate new nurses’ experiences of workplace incivility; verify the mediating role of work ability in the relationship between workplace incivility and job performance and examine the moderating role of career expectations in the relationship between workplace incivility and job performance.DesignThis cross-sectional survey was conducted in China in May 2016.SettingsThe research settings included 54 cities across 29 provinces of China.ParticipantsOf the 903 participants recruited, 696 new nurses (<3 years of nursing experience) agreed to complete the online questionnaire of the study. The effective response rate was 77.1%. The inclusion criteria were voluntary participation, <3 years of nursing experience and recognition as a registered nurse. The exclusion criteria were refusal to participate, >3 years of nursing experience or not recognised as a registered nurse.ResultsNew nurses (60.7%) experienced some level of workplace incivility in the previous year, and it was more frequent among those with higher educational degrees. Work ability mediated the relationship between workplace incivility and job performance, and this relationship was moderated by career expectations.ConclusionIncivility towards new nurses was relatively common in the workplace. Workplace incivility impairs job performance by weakening the work ability of new nurses. Higher career expectations may buffer workplace incivility and contribute to the maintenance of job performance by buffering the detrimental effects of workplace incivility.

Influence of workplace incivility on the quality of nursing care

“…Those who experience harmful incidents have a higher chance of developing poor well‐being and self‐care, which might weaken their work performance, than those who do not. In the analysis of Zhang et al (), incivility unfavourably sets back the cognitions and emotions of nurses and significantly reduces their self‐confidence towards patient care. Poor self‐confidence towards care and responsibility could lead to low QNC.…”

“…Poor self‐confidence towards care and responsibility could lead to low QNC. A harmonious compassionate milieu can increase in providing humanistic (Zhang et al, ).…”

Evaluation of Turkish nurses' attitudes to workplace incivility

“…However, Bambi et al (2018) indicated that nurse education level is not a related factor of lateral violence and uncivil behaviors among nurses in clinical settings. However, Zhang et al (2018) reported that differences in education level in workplace incivility scores were statistically significant. In addition, they indicate that nurses with higher education degrees find there is a gulf between the theoretical and the actual workplace, and struggle when faced with the challenge to adapt to the new environment and organizational culture, with poor performance leading to admonition and workplace incivility.…”

Incivility through the continuum of nursing: A concept analysis

“…Dismissive actions can be verbal or nonverbal. Eye‐rolling and ignoring an individual are two actions described in the literature. Dismissive actions were found to undervalue the individual and his or her contributions to the nursing profession …”