Author Name
Jasmine Joseph and Sindhu Kuruvilla
Abstract
Background:
Civility is a cornerstone of nursing education, forming the foundation for professionalism, ethical practice, and compassionate patient care. It promotes mutual respect, effective communication, and collaboration among students, educators, and healthcare teams. A culture of civility not only enhances learning outcomes but also prepares future nurses to navigate the interpersonal and ethical challenges of clinical environments with integrity. However, despite its importance, incivility remains a persistent concern in nursing institutions worldwide. Behaviors such as disrespect, bullying, and lack of collegiality can disrupt the educational climate, lower morale, and compromise both academic and clinical performance. In the Indian context, research on civility and incivility within nursing education is still limited, underscoring the need for systematic exploration of its prevalence, underlying causes, and consequences for student well-being and professional development..
Aim:
To assess civility behaviours among nursing students in a selected colleges in Kerala.
Methods:
A descriptive research design was employed to assess the level of civility among fourth-semester B.Sc. Nursing students. The study sample comprised 99 participants, selected through convenient sampling. Data were collected using a structured self-report civility scale that encompassed five key domains: classroom behavior, respect toward peers and faculty, professional communication, accountability, and adherence to ethical standards. The instrument measured students’ perceptions and self-reported behaviors reflecting civility in both academic and clinical contexts. The collected data were systematically organized and analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency and percentage distribution, to determine the prevalence and patterns of civil and uncivil behaviors among the respondents.
Results:
The findings revealed that students demonstrated an overall moderate to high level of civility across the assessed domains. A substantial proportion of respondents exhibited commendable behavior in areas such as punctuality (86.8%), communication skills—with 51.5% reporting that they were always polite in their interactions—and adherence to professional conduct. These findings indicate that most students recognize and practice behaviors that reflect respect, discipline, and accountability within the academic environment.
However, certain dimensions of civility showed greater variability. Only 40.4% of students consistently admitted their mistakes, suggesting hesitancy in acknowledging errors or accepting constructive feedback. Similarly, challenges were observed in emotional regulation and teamwork, reflecting the need for strengthened interpersonal skill development. A particularly concerning finding was the low level of gossip avoidance, highlighting the persistence of unprofessional peer interactions that can negatively affect the learning climate. Overall, the results suggest that while nursing students uphold civility in observable professional behaviors, there remains scope for improvement in self-awareness, emotional control, and collaborative communication.
Conclusion:
Findings highlight the need for structured interventions to improve feedback receptiveness, conflict management, and collaborative behaviour, fostering a more professional academic environment.
Key Words:
Civility, Nursing Students, Professionalism, Communication, Incivility
Published On :
2025-10-14
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