PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a Neuman Systems Model-guided discussion of current knowledge associated with covert incivility in the nursing academic workplace.Organizing structureThe Neuman Systems Model provides a multiple discipline, systems perspective of the stressor covert incivility and levels of prevention interventions to counter it.FindingsCovert incivility is defined as a stressor that affects individual, group, community, and social systems' intrapersonal, interpersonal, and extrapersonal levels of function. Two prominent examples of expressing covert incivility in academic settings are identified—pluralistic ignorance and passive aggression.ConclusionsThe Neuman Systems Model can guide development and testing of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention interventions targeted to covert incivility in the nursing academic workplace, as well as outcomes of the interventions.Clinical relevanceThe Neuman Systems Model is a useful multiple discipline conceptual model for identification and testing of the effects of covert incivility in the nursing academic workplace. |