Introduction: Uncivil behaviors in workplace are threating and a leading risk for health of nurses and patients in clinical environments. Lack of job satisfaction and quitting are the main work-related outcomes of incivility. This study aimed to explain the concept of workplace incivility among nurses.

Methods: In this research in 2014, using qualitative approach, 50 hospital nurses affiliated to Golestan University of Medical Sciences were participated. The sampling method was purposeful with maximum variation. Data were collected by semi-structured interviews; they were stopped after data saturation and analyzed using conventional qualitative content analysis method.

Results: Eighty percent of participants were female, with 3-20 years of work experience. The concept of incivility was characterized with "inferiority", "verbal/non-verbal aggression", "threating", "blaming", "ignoring", and "isolating” in terms of interaction with coworkers, superiors, physician, patients, patients’ attendants and cleaning staff. The participants experienced uncivility in a range of mild to severe and felt as it was very stressful; insulting from patients was perceived as less personal, so they could endure it better. The participants did not always know the best way to respond to uncivil behavior, how to deal with the agent of abusive behavior, or the mistreating behavior was not reported.

Conclusions: The results showed that uncivil behaviors occur to varying degrees and in different aspects in the nurses’ workplace. The persistence of such behaviors and feelings as well as lack of supporting system could lead to frustration from profession and stress.