Date of Award

Fall 11-20-2025

Embargo Period

12-14-2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing Science

Department

Nursing

College

College of Nursing

First Advisor

Siana Layne

Second Advisor

Sarah Miller

Third Advisor

Martina Mueller

Fourth Advisor

Benjamin Smallheer

Abstract

Background: Nursing shortages are exacerbated by unhealthy learning environments. Men remain underrepresented among nursing students and faculty, yet their experiences of incivility are rarely examined.

Purpose: Guided by Clark’s Model of Civility in Nursing Education, this dissertation explored how male nursing students and educators in U.S. prelicensure programs experience incivility and how these patterns inform strategies to promote civility and retention.

Methods: This compendium includes (a) an integrative review of nursing faculty mistreatment using Whittemore and Knafl’s method; (b) a cross-sectional survey of male nursing educators and students using the Incivility in Nursing Education–Revised (INE-R) to estimate the prevalence and predictors of incivility; and (c) a qualitative descriptive analysis of open-ended survey responses. Ninety-six male-identifying participants from CCNE- and ACEN-accredited programs completed the survey, and 77 provided narrative responses.

Results: The integrative review identified heterogeneous definitions, measures, and perpetrators of mistreatment and revealed a lack of studies focused on male faculty. Quantitative findings showed that high-level behaviors such as threats, object throwing, and demeaning remarks were widely rated as highly uncivil, yet few demographic or program characteristics consistently predicted exposure. Qualitative analysis yielded four themes: communication breakdown, injustice, harmful behaviors, and unprofessionalism. Participants linked uncivil climates to diminished psychological safety, strained relationships, and intentions to leave programs or roles.

Conclusions: Incivility toward men in nursing education is prevalent and consequential. Findings underscore the need for systematic assessment and multilevel interventions, including clear behavioral expectations, consistent policy enforcement, and mentorship initiatives that foster civility, inclusion, and workforce stability.

Rights

Copyright is held by the author. All rights reserved.

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