Carefronting: An Innovative Approach to Managing Conflict
Carefronting: An Innovative Approach to Managing Conflict
Nick Chase is an emergency department (ED) charge nurse. He and Michelle Stanley have worked together for the past 3 years. Their relationship has always been what Nick describes as "very rocky." Nick was given the charge nurse role 1 year ago with only 2 years of nursing experience. Although Michelle isn't interested in being in charge, she has complained to others about Nick's lack of experience and immaturity. At times, Michelle demonstrates bullying behaviors toward Nick and continually questions leadership decisions that he makes while in his charge nurse role. Clinically, she is a very good nurse. Nick relies on her expertise to care for very acutely ill ED patients. He had hoped that over time he would gain Michelle's confidence and respect but this hasn't happened. When Nick and Michelle are scheduled to work shifts together, the atmosphere on the ED team is tense. Nick has hesitated to discuss the situation with his nurse manager. He has felt that as a leader, he should be able to manage the conflict and establish a better working relationship with Michelle.
The dilemma that Nick is confronted with in the scenario above isn't uncommon. One of the most significant challenges that nurses face in their work is the management of conflict. In today's environment, nursing teams are composed of staff from different backgrounds with divergent values, attitudes, and beliefs. These differences can and do lead to conflict. If not managed well, conflict can become a patient-safety issue in healthcare environments.
Carefronting is an important competency for nurses that can help them to resolve conflict and create healthier work environments.
Abstract and Introduction
Abstract
Nick Chase is an emergency department (ED) charge nurse. He and Michelle Stanley have worked together for the past 3 years. Their relationship has always been what Nick describes as "very rocky." Nick was given the charge nurse role 1 year ago with only 2 years of nursing experience. Although Michelle isn't interested in being in charge, she has complained to others about Nick's lack of experience and immaturity. At times, Michelle demonstrates bullying behaviors toward Nick and continually questions leadership decisions that he makes while in his charge nurse role. Clinically, she is a very good nurse. Nick relies on her expertise to care for very acutely ill ED patients. He had hoped that over time he would gain Michelle's confidence and respect but this hasn't happened. When Nick and Michelle are scheduled to work shifts together, the atmosphere on the ED team is tense. Nick has hesitated to discuss the situation with his nurse manager. He has felt that as a leader, he should be able to manage the conflict and establish a better working relationship with Michelle.
Introduction
The dilemma that Nick is confronted with in the scenario above isn't uncommon. One of the most significant challenges that nurses face in their work is the management of conflict. In today's environment, nursing teams are composed of staff from different backgrounds with divergent values, attitudes, and beliefs. These differences can and do lead to conflict. If not managed well, conflict can become a patient-safety issue in healthcare environments.
Carefronting is an important competency for nurses that can help them to resolve conflict and create healthier work environments.
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