Week 3 Discussion Board

General Instructions

Conflict is a frequent occurrence in healthcare environments and often results from hierarchical structures, unequal power dynamics, ineffective communication, disruptive behaviors, and diversity among interprofessional and multigenerational teams. Therefore, nurses and healthcare professionals must develop strong competencies in identifying conflicts, understanding their root causes, and applying effective resolution strategies. Successful conflict management is essential for maintaining patient safety, promoting teamwork, and ensuring high-quality care delivery.

Application of Course Knowledge

a. Describe a conflict you have encountered in your nursing practice. Identify the stakeholders involved and their roles.

During my travel nursing assignment in a progressive care unit (PCU), I encountered a conflict with a patient care technician (PCT). Being new to the unit and responsible for five patients, one of whom was a new admission from the emergency department with suspected stroke symptoms, I faced challenges with unfamiliar workflows. The patient requested to shower independently, which presented safety risks. I suggested safer alternatives such as a bed bath and requested the PCT’s assistance. The PCT initially agreed to help within 30 minutes but failed to do so. After an hour, I assisted the patient myself, only to learn that the PCT had left for her lunch break without informing me.

This situation underscored the significance of effective communication and teamwork in maintaining patient safety.

Stakeholders and Their Roles

b. Analyze how the conflict was resolved. Which conflict resolution style was used?

The conflict was resolved through calm and effective communication with a focus on patient safety. Instead of reacting defensively, I emphasized to the PCT the importance of timely communication and teamwork in ensuring patient well-being. This approach diffused tension and allowed both of us to refocus on our shared goal of providing safe and quality care.

The conflict resolution style used was collaboration. This approach valued both parties’ perspectives—the PCT’s workload and my concern for patient safety—while promoting dialogue, problem-solving, and shared accountability.

c. Evaluate the efficacy of the resolution. Was the conflict resolution style used to address the conflict the most appropriate option? Why or why not?

The collaborative approach proved effective as it prevented escalation and fostered teamwork for the rest of the shift. By emphasizing shared priorities such as patient safety and quality care, the conflict became a constructive learning experience.

Collaboration was indeed the most appropriate strategy because it strengthened trust, improved professional relationships, and encouraged accountability. Other methods, such as avoidance, might have ignored the underlying issue, while a competing approach could have created hostility. Collaboration instead promoted mutual respect and reinforced a cooperative workplace culture.

d. Identify and describe your preferred mode of conflict resolution.

My preferred conflict resolution strategy is active listening. This involves giving full attention to the speaker, paraphrasing their concerns, and validating their feelings. Active listening allows both emotional and practical aspects of a disagreement to be addressed effectively.

By employing this method, I can better identify the root causes of conflicts, reduce defensiveness, and create a supportive environment. In nursing practice, active listening fosters empathy, teamwork, and aligns with patient-centered care principles.

Research has shown that active listening enhances collaboration, builds trust, and is particularly crucial in healthcare settings where communication directly impacts patient outcomes (Weger et al., 2010).

Peer Response #1

Hi _____, I found your post insightful. The way your unit manager addressed the situation by rotating the charge nurse role and introducing additional training was inspiring. This demonstrated a collaborative leadership style, emphasizing shared responsibility and fairness.

Collaborative leadership promotes openness, inclusivity, and teamwork. While conflicts may still arise, this leadership approach resolves disputes through open dialogue, active listening, and inclusive decision-making. Such a strategy enhances professional trust, strengthens relationships, and cultivates a workplace culture centered on adaptability and continuous improvement (DiBello, 2019).

Faculty Response

Question: Active listening is an essential skill. How do you think that you will use active listening to resolve conflict related to patient care in your future APRN role?

Response:
Dr. Rebecca, in my future APRN role, I view active listening as a fundamental skill for managing both patient and team conflicts. Active listening fosters mutual respect and minimizes defensiveness in challenging interactions. By attentively listening to patients and colleagues, I can establish an atmosphere of trust and understanding.

In clinical settings, active listening will help de-escalate conflicts by ensuring patients feel heard and valued, which increases their willingness to cooperate. Moreover, it enables the identification of subtle patient concerns that might otherwise be overlooked, ensuring holistic care delivery. Through authentic rapport and open dialogue, active listening promotes shared decision-making and strengthens therapeutic relationships (Doas, 2015).

References

DiBello, K. (2019). Collaborative leadership. AAACN Viewpoint, 41(4), 15–16.
https://chamberlainuniversity.idm.oclc.org/login?qurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.proquest.com%2Fscholarly-journals%2Fcollaborative-leadership%2Fdocview%2F2309764587%2Fse-2%3Faccountid%3D147674

Doas, M. (2015). Are we losing the art of actively listening to our patients? Connecting the art of active listening with emotionally competent behaviors. Open Journal of Nursing, 5(6), 566–570. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojn.2015.56060

NR 582 Week 3 Discussion Board

Weger, H., Castle, G. R., & Emmett, M. C. (2010). Active listening in peer interviews: The influence of message paraphrasing on perceptions of listening skill. International Journal of Listening, 24(1), 34–49. https://doi.org/10.1080/10904010903466311