An Intergenerational Comparison of Civility: Nursing Students and Nurse Educators

Abstract

Purpose: Intergenerational differences in perceptions related to civility among nursing students and nurse educators were explored. Method: A convenience sample of 13 students and 10 educators were interviewed in this descriptive qualitative study. Results: Both groups defined civility as kindness, collaboration, and respect. Educators described civil students as being open to learning, polite, appreciative, and gracious. Students described civil educators as listening without judgment and being supportive and respectful. Educators described uncivil students as being disrespectful and entitled, and improperly using social media. Students described uncivil educators as belittling and impatient, and failing to listening. Conclusion: Respect was the strongest theme for both students and educators. In describing civil acts, students focused on cooperation to accomplish classroom and clinical tasks, whereas educators focused on productive classroom behaviors. More research on intergenerational differences is needed to help nurse educators develop interventions that allow faculty to view civility from a student perspective. [ J Nurs Educ . 2024;63(2):86–92.]