Conflict Among Nurses
This writer has had her fair share of conflict situations with her colleagues in the workplace. Thus, results of some studies that viewed conflict as expected occurrences in health care settings did not come as a surprise. Brinkert (2010) described conflict in such phrases as “pervasive in nursing… a routine feature of nursing…” (p. 145). Almost (2006) also described conflict as “a significant issue within healthcare setting around the world… and is inevitable in any work environment” (p.444). However, studies have also shown that conflicts “can have positive functions” (Brinkert, 2010, p. 146). As cited by Yoder-Wise (2014) “Moderate levels of conflicts contribute to the quality of ideas generated and foster cohesiveness …show more content…
One role that a nurse manager may need to perform is “to assist two nurses in resolving a scheduling conflict or issues surrounding patient assignments” (Yoder-Wise, 2014, p. 433). In the same way that communication had a significant role in creating the conflict, so conflict communication would have a central role in conflict resolution. As cited by Yoder-Wise (2014) “The role of the nurse leader is to create a practice environment that fosters open communication and collaborative practices for achieving mutual goals that enable nurses to employ constructive approaches to conflict management” (p. 442).
What Are Some Possible Solutions? If conflict, as cited by Almost (2006) “is an inevitable part of nurses’ work environment” (p. 451), then, nurses must have “the ability to manage conflict effectively” (Brinkert, 2010, p. 150). One strategy that has proven to work is for the nurse managers to “support their staff’s use of effective conflict-management strategies by modeling open and honest communication” (Yoder-Wise, 2014, p. 442). Also, it is time for nurses to turn from avoidance and accommodation as their choices of conflict management to a more effective conflict management style through enhanced communication (Yoder-Wise, 2014). Successful management of disruptive workplace conflict involves “delaying confrontation, approaching the colleague calmly, and acknowledging the colleague’s point of view” (Yoder-Wise, 2014, p. 441). All
This writer has had her fair share of conflict situations with her colleagues in the workplace. Thus, results of some studies that viewed conflict as expected occurrences in health care settings did not come as a surprise. Brinkert (2010) described conflict in such phrases as “pervasive in nursing… a routine feature of nursing…” (p. 145). Almost (2006) also described conflict as “a significant issue within healthcare setting around the world… and is inevitable in any work environment” (p.444). However, studies have also shown that conflicts “can have positive functions” (Brinkert, 2010, p. 146). As cited by Yoder-Wise (2014) “Moderate levels of conflicts contribute to the quality of ideas generated and foster cohesiveness …show more content…
One role that a nurse manager may need to perform is “to assist two nurses in resolving a scheduling conflict or issues surrounding patient assignments” (Yoder-Wise, 2014, p. 433). In the same way that communication had a significant role in creating the conflict, so conflict communication would have a central role in conflict resolution. As cited by Yoder-Wise (2014) “The role of the nurse leader is to create a practice environment that fosters open communication and collaborative practices for achieving mutual goals that enable nurses to employ constructive approaches to conflict management” (p. 442).
What Are Some Possible Solutions? If conflict, as cited by Almost (2006) “is an inevitable part of nurses’ work environment” (p. 451), then, nurses must have “the ability to manage conflict effectively” (Brinkert, 2010, p. 150). One strategy that has proven to work is for the nurse managers to “support their staff’s use of effective conflict-management strategies by modeling open and honest communication” (Yoder-Wise, 2014, p. 442). Also, it is time for nurses to turn from avoidance and accommodation as their choices of conflict management to a more effective conflict management style through enhanced communication (Yoder-Wise, 2014). Successful management of disruptive workplace conflict involves “delaying confrontation, approaching the colleague calmly, and acknowledging the colleague’s point of view” (Yoder-Wise, 2014, p. 441). All