Workplace incivility experienced by foreign national nurses in a Saudi Arabian hospital

Abstract

Background: Workplace incivility is a persistent challenge in nursing. In Saudi Arabia, where foreign national nurses constitute a large part of the healthcare workforce, particularly in military hospitals, there is limited research on their experiences with workplace incivility and its effect on their well-being and patient care.
Aim: This study explored the factors influencing workplace incivility experienced by foreign national nurses in a Saudi Arabian military hospital and examined how these experiences impact their personal and professional well-being.
Setting: This study was conducted in the Southern Region of Saudi Arabia, in the province of Aseer. The study setting was the medical and surgical units in a military hospital.
Methods: A qualitative design using semi-structured interviews was employed with foreign national nurses. Purposive sampling ensured diverse representation across nationality, experience and clinical areas. Thematic analysis identified patterns, contributing factors, and perceived consequences of workplace incivility.
Results: Four subthemes emerged under organisational factors affecting workforce incivility and job satisfaction: ineffective leadership styles, discrimination among employees, poor employee engagement and empowerment, and lack of support from managers.
Conclusion: This study highlights the distinct challenges foreign national nurses face in Saudi Arabia’s healthcare context. The study contributes to evidence-based strategies for creating respectful, inclusive, and psychologically safe workplaces. The findings will inform hospital policies and support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 healthcare reforms.
Contribution: By amplifying the voices of foreign national nurses, the study sheds light on socio-cultural, organisational, and legal factors influencing workplace incivility. Aligning with Vision 2030, the study offers practical guidance for fostering inclusive workplaces and enriches theoretical and methodological understanding of incivility in multicultural healthcare settings.