Background
One of the recent classes was about conflicts in a nursing work setting. The instructor spoke about the types of workplace conflicts, their harmful outcomes for employees, and resolution methods. There are intrapersonal conflicts, “which refers to an internal conflict with yourself,” and interpersonal ones that are “any type of conflict involving two or more people” (Davis, 2019, para. 1). Conflict resolution experts categorize them into mild, moderate, and severe. Workplace conflicts have many different negative consequences manifested in psychological and even physical abuse. Some of these include workplace incivility, bullying, mobbing, and violence. Nurses are advised to report the clinic or hospital management if they have experienced or witnessed such things.
Changes of Conflict and Conflict Resolution
Conflict resolution professionals identify this phenomenon as a four-stage process. The first one is conflict formation, also defined as a conflict emergence. Then comes the conflict escalation stage, also called a crisis point or point of maximum tension. The last two changes are conflict mitigation and conflict resolution. These are the moments when emotional stress subsides, and the parties begin to reconcile. According to Shonk (2021), conflict resolution is a “process that two or more parties use to find a peaceful solution to their dispute” (para. 2). It is helpful for nurses and nurse managers to learn effective conflict resolution tactics.
Group Conflict and Effective Collaboration
Group conflict is one of the most common forms of interpersonal dispute in the workplace. It is also one of the more damaging ones for organizational climate, performance, and collaboration (Indeed Editorial Team, 2021). The instructor noted that these could happen not only because of the disagreements between medical workers but also simply because they have different characters and personalities. Ways to avoid group conflict and maintain effective collaboration include mutual respect, cultural awareness, and cultural tolerance.
References
Davis, B. (2019). What is the difference between interpersonal and intrapersonal conflict? MVOrganizing. Web.
Indeed Editorial Team. (2021). Four common types of team conflict and how to resolve them. Indeed.
Shonk, K. (2021). What is conflict resolution, and how does it work?Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School.