ESL Versus Non-ESL Nursing Students' Perceptions of Incivility in the Clinical Setting

Background: Incivility toward nursing students in the clinical setting has been reported. The purpose of the study was to determine whether there was a difference between English as second language (ESL) and non-ESL nursing students' perceptions of staff nurse incivility. Method: The Uncivil Clinical Behavior in Nursing Education Tool and the Horizontal and Vertical Individualism/Collectivism Scale were used to collect data. A final sample of 975 surveys was analyzed. Results: Exclusionary behaviors, total incivility, and vertical collectivism were significantly different between ESL and non-ESL students. However, the effect size of the finding was small. Time in the program, age, and gender were significant predictors of incivility. Conclusion: Although ESL status did not influence exclusionary behaviors, vertical collectivism, or student perceptions of staff nurse incivility, it may be predicted by time in the program, age, and gender.