jknaack

My name is Jennifer Knaack and I am a Ph.D. Candidate with Capella University. I am looking for Practical Nursing Faculty to share this flyer with your students. I am recruiting practical nursing students to participate in a study focused on emotional intelligence and critical thinking. I would love to get in touch with you to discuss this study. There are two ways to participate in this study. My flyer can be shared with your students and they can contact me directly or I can share the login information with faculty to share with students. I have attached the flyer. Thank you for your consideration!

I have experienced incivilities in both practice and academia as faculty. I have witnessed my colleagues experience incivilities that resulted in them leaving shortly after starting a position. Nurses have judged my ability to manage a unit due to assumptions about my experience, age, and more. Roughly halfway into my career, I transitioned to a faculty position, working first in a practical nursing program, next in a pre-licensure program, and finally as a director of nursing. I have come to ponder whether the incivilities that occur in practice start in our nursing programs and continue to fester in practice. Whatever Do You Mean, Incivilities Start in Academia? Researchers identified incivilities as behavior not conducive to a mutually respectful classroom environment (Small et al., 2019). This study discussed both faculty and students contribute to the incivilities experienced during the nursing programs. Students felt that their contribution to incivilities related to accountability regarding engagement and faculty was because of teaching styles, ineffective teaching methods, and inequitable treatment of students (Small et al., 2019). The incivilities that students experience negatively impact their learning and create barriers to their success during their educational journey. Individuals at the most risk of experiencing incivilities are new graduate nurses and nursing students (Palumbo, 2018). This study asked why interventions are not mandatory, with the documentation proving that incivilities begin in nursing education (Palumbo, 2018). Palumbo (2018) identified the scarcity of research dedicated to incivilities experienced in nursing school even after the scarcely available research identifies that nursing students are experiencing incivilities. Modeling of civil behavior by faculty creates an example for students to follow. The punitive ways of nursing programs continue to exist based on the current faculty’s experience as nursing students. I have heard faculty state the words of this are what I experienced, and this is how it should be done. I go into a reflective period when I hear this statement and ask why. Why would we want our students and future practicing nurses to experience the same stress and, for some nurses, horrific experiences in nursing school? Why would we not want to improve our students’ experience by creating a rich, engaging learning environment? Even Though You Did Not Ask, Here Are My Thoughts In education, I hear faculty say that I have to keep everything the same so it is equal for all students. However, academic institutions are working to create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture. The equality piece is elevated to being equitable for all. Some students will require services to support their journey providing the opportunity for that student to be successful. There will also be students who do not require support services and will have the opportunity to succeed in their program. As a nurse, we create care plans that are individualized to our patients, creating that unique ability for the patient to achieve optimal patient outcomes. Students should have individualized plans like the patients we have or are caring for in practice. Each student will bring a unique quality and experience to our nursing practice, which we desperately need nurses. There will also be times when a student should not continue in the program for various reasons. The reason could be time, current life situation, and more. That difficult conversation must take place, ensuring the conversation is individualized to the student. The goal is also to create an honest and supportive environment for the student’s abilities. As faculty, we are responsible for creating a physically and psychologically safe space for our students to gain foundational knowledge and develop their critical thinking to provide safe, proficient care in the future. As we age, we will rely on their care. Now I ask all who are reading this to reflect on the possibility of having a rich, engaging learning environment that is equitable for our students and faculty. What kind of practices would this instill in our nursing students to bring into practice? Could it be one that is caring, forgiving, supportive, and loving? References/Resources Palumbo, R. (2018). Incivility in nursing education: An intervention. Nurse Education Today, 66, 143-148. Small, S. P., English, D., Moran, G., Grainger, P., & Cashin, G. (2019). “Mutual respect would be a good starting point:’ students’ perspectives on incivility in nursing education. Canadian Journal of Nursing Research, 51(3), 133-144.