Essay Sample on Conflict Management

Introduction

Conflict in any healthcare setting is often high due to different value set, beliefs, experiences, and perceptions (Erdenk & Altuntas, 2017). Nurses are exposed to a complicated environment that requires highly interpersonal-based work environment (Erdenk & Altuntas, 2017). Therefore, while communicating, views may differ, leading to a conflict like a case analysis of Nurse L.N. His registered nurse (RN) has been facing stress leading to an intrapersonal conflict. During L.N.'s routine duty, the RN burst, "I requested you to get Mr. K ready for her medication. You completely ignored my instructions; you could not help him." RN's is clearly frustrated and decides to take on LN, leading to misleading assumptions. LN response is, however, polite as he explains, "I am so sorry, but I was busy dressing Patient zero for surgery, you would have assisted me or assigned the duty to someone." The registered nurse still insists that it was LN's duty since she had assigned him the patient. However, on closer analysis, the case is a reflection of how RN thinks the task should be accomplished while both LN and RN are responsible for Mrs. K. This case analysis presents three scenarios involving a conflict, civility, and cooperation between individuals within an environment.

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Strategies

Several strategies can be used to manage the conflict between LN and RN, including accommodation, compromising, and collaboration (Johansen, 2012). Accommodating blends harmony. The approach can be applied if RN apologizes to LN for her outburst and explains her situation, thus enabling LN to accommodate her. In doing so, the RN will not pursue victory over who was responsible, instead, she will strive to achieve cooperation over assertiveness.

Secondly, a collaboration between LN and RN can be an optimal method of managing the existing conflict (Johansen, 2012). They should both forward solutions to address Mrs. K's case, instead of blaming each other, thus ensuring a win-win situation between them and the patient. Lastly, both should compromise, meaning a situation where each gives in a little to ensure an agreement is attained (Walden University, n.d.).

Conclusion

While both LN and RN emotions are still high, compromising will blend an interim solution, that will foster a better advanced solution. For example, LN can proceed and accept the blame and proceed to address the patient, and the RN can also assist in bringing the required medication.

References

‌Erdenk, N., & Altuntas, S. (2017). Do personality traits of nurses have an effect on conflict management strategies? Journal of Nursing Management, 25(5), 366–374.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.12474

Johansen, M. L. (2012). Keeping the peace. Nursing Management (Springhouse), 43(2), 50–54. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.numa.0000410920.90831.96

Walden University. (n.d.). Conflict Management Strategies Nurses Might Use.
https://www.waldenu.edu/online-masters-programs/master-of-science-in-nursing/resource/five-conflict-management-strategies-nurses-might-use‌.