Conflict Resolution in the Workplace Research suggests that nurses experience alcohol, drug use, and mental illness at rates that mirror or exceed those found in the general population (Cares, A., Pace, E., Denious, J., & Crane, L., 2015). Substance use among nurses is a matter of public safety, putting nurses and their patients at risk (Cares et al, 2015). I had speculations about one of our recently hired nurses, O.J. Having witnessed diversion in the past, I was immediately concerned about issues surrounding O.J.s work performance. Critical parameters unattended, stat physician orders unaddressed, blood transfusions ignored, excessive tardiness, and ongoing patient complaints alerted me of a problem with O.J. On several occasions, patients dismissed O.J. as their nurse.
I spoke with O.J. about patient concerns and extended my assistance but she refused my assistance. Thereafter, O.J. requested not to hand-off report to me. She reportedly told the day shift staff that I had racial grievances against her. According to Nutty (2016), it is vitally important to recognize signs of addiction in nurse colleagues. In addition to the expected physical and behavioral symptoms experienced by those with addictions, nurses affected by substance use disorder often exhibit some …show more content…
According to Hamric et al. (2014), it is helpful to identify clinical situations that trigger conflict in order to recognize when they occur and evaluate whether their ways of handling conflict can be improved. After debriefing, several other staff members stated they questioned O. J’s behavior and substandard patient care, yet chose not to address their concerns. Avoidance and compromising on the behalf of the staff contributed to a delayed resolution to this issue. O.J. worked in our unit for three years before receiving treatment for drug and alcohol
I spoke with O.J. about patient concerns and extended my assistance but she refused my assistance. Thereafter, O.J. requested not to hand-off report to me. She reportedly told the day shift staff that I had racial grievances against her. According to Nutty (2016), it is vitally important to recognize signs of addiction in nurse colleagues. In addition to the expected physical and behavioral symptoms experienced by those with addictions, nurses affected by substance use disorder often exhibit some …show more content…
According to Hamric et al. (2014), it is helpful to identify clinical situations that trigger conflict in order to recognize when they occur and evaluate whether their ways of handling conflict can be improved. After debriefing, several other staff members stated they questioned O. J’s behavior and substandard patient care, yet chose not to address their concerns. Avoidance and compromising on the behalf of the staff contributed to a delayed resolution to this issue. O.J. worked in our unit for three years before receiving treatment for drug and alcohol