Navigating the Shadows: The Lived Experiences of Nursing Students Facing Faculty Incivility Publisher



M Shali MAHBOOBEH ; A Nikbakht Nasrabadi ALIREZA ; A Manookian ARPI ; S Rahimi SARA
Source: Teaching and Learning in Nursing Published:2025

Abstract

Background: Academic incivility is increasingly prevalent in nursing education, negatively affecting student confidence and learning. Understanding this phenomenon is crucial for nurse educators to develop solutions. Aim: To explore the lived experiences of Iranian undergraduate nursing students regarding faculty incivility in academic and clinical settings. Methods: This qualitative study used a descriptive phenomenological approach, with semi-structured interviews analyzed via Colaizzi's method in MaxQDA-v10. Fourteen nursing students who experienced academic incivility participated. Results: Participants included eight females and six males. Two themes emerged from nursing students' lived experiences: Unprofessional Conduct and Emotional Devastation. Students described feelings of disrespect through ignored questions, inappropriate tones, and public humiliation. These experiences led to emotional distress, reduced motivation, and some even considered leaving the nursing profession due to these negative encounters. Conclusions: This study reveals the emotional and systemic consequences of faculty incivility for nursing students, highlighting its impact on learning, confidence, and commitment. Findings stress the need for faculty training to foster civility and institutional policies to address power dynamics and improve academic environments. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.