Department type and workplace incivility experienced by nurses: the chain mediating role of job burnout and job performance

Objects To explore the influencing factors and pathways of workplace incivility among Chinese nurses, and to examine the chain mediating roles of job burnout and job performance in the relationship between department type and workplace incivility. Methods In this study, a convenience sample of 244 registered nurses employed across three medical institutions in Zhengzhou was recruited in December 2024, and the revised Workplace Incivility Scale, the Chinese Maslach Burnout Inventory, and the Job Performance Scale were used for the investigation. Descriptive statistics, univariate tests, Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression with dummy-coded categorical predictors were conducted using SPSS 27.0. An observed-variable path model was fitted in R, and direct and indirect effects were tested with 5,000 bootstrap draws. Results The score of workplace incivility among nurses was (16.23 ± 6.20), reflecting a moderate degree of exposure to uncivil behavior in their work environment. The multiple regression model explained 49.2% of the variance ( R 2 = 0.492, adjusted R 2 = 0.465, F (12,231) = 18.617, p < 0.001); the largest contrast was a monthly income below 5,000 yuan ( B = 8.233). In the path model, emergency/ICU nurses reported more incivility than internal medicine nurses directly ( β = 0.232) and through lower job performance (indirect β = 0.068), and the sequential path through job burnout and job performance was small (indirect β = 0.035, 95% CI [0.009, 0.060]). Surgery did not differ from internal medicine. Job burnout was not directly associated with incivility ( β = 0.094, p = 0.102), and job performance was negatively associated with incivility ( β = −0.252). The model fit was acceptable ( χ 2 /df = 1.573, CFI = 0.979, TLI = 0.947, RMSEA = 0.048, SRMR = 0.031). Conclusion Workplace incivility experienced by nurses was associated with department type, job burnout and job performance. Emergency/ICU nurses reported more incivility than internal medicine nurses, mainly through a direct association and through lower job performance; the sequential path through job burnout and job performance was small. Intervention should be carried out in combination with multi-dimensional strategies such as departmental management optimization, occupational psychological support and performance improvement.