Learn Conflict Resolution Tools for Nurses in American Sentinel’s New Blog Series
– Conflict Resolution Skills Empower Nurses to Show Leadership and Facilitate Positive Outcomes –
AURORA, Colo. – August 3, 2011 – The nursing profession is based on collaborative relationships between nursing staff and colleagues. How nurses maintain relationships and resolve conflict in the workplace are considered two of the most important skills for nurses today.
American Sentinel University launched a new nursing blog series: ‘Nursing Strategies: Conflict Resolution Tools for Workplace Success‘, a four-part series to educate nurses about the best ways to managing conflict resolution in the workplace and achieve positive outcomes.
The blog series, to be published through early-August, covers such topics as:
- Understanding the sources and costs of conflict
- Common tactics for managing conflict
- Guidelines for resolving conflicts with positive outcomes
- Interaction strategies for avoiding conflict
Learn More About Countering Conflict
Dr. Catherine Garner, DrPH, MSN, RN, FAAN, dean, health sciences and nursing at American Sentinel University, and Pam Broyles, MSN, senior manager for education and training at Sarah Cannon Research Institute and DNP student at American Sentinel University, will be hosting a live online chat, “Countering Conflict in the Workplace,” on NurseTogether.com on August 9, 2011 from 1-2 p.m. EST. If you’re not a NurseTogether.com member, you can register for a free, no-obligation membership.
As health care organizations dramatically change the way they operate due to initiatives to increase productivity and the quality of services provided, these initiatives are forcing hospitals to break down traditional hierarchical structures and move toward a team-managed environment. As a result, nurses no longer function on nursing units in subordinate roles, but are finding themselves in new roles where they are participating as part of a multidisciplinary team improving the overall delivery of care.
“Conflict requires energy – physical and psychological – and when you are burdened with the time and energy it takes to avoid or confront colleagues, it becomes a distraction which has clear physical affects and also spills into your stress outside of work. You have less positive energy for your family, yourself and the everyday life,” says Dr. Garner.
Most importantly, Dr. Garner points out that if you are busy thinking about yourself and your colleagues, then you are not able to focus all your energy and intellectual resources on your patient and observing their needs and this is unethical, bordering on malpractice.
On an individual level, conflict resolution is important for personal achievement. On an organizational level, it is important for the bottom line and overall success. Proper conflict management results not only in successful conflict resolution, but also contributes to higher effectiveness, trust and openness in the workplace.
“Although conflict can have an impact on productive time, it can have a larger emotional and physical impact,” says Pam Broyles. “Many people and organizations do not take into account the entire impact of conflict and therefore do not recognize the true cost.”
“Knowing how to confront and resolve conflict exemplifies the behavior of professional nurses and our goals as nurses is to focus our opinions and behaviors toward our mission – taking care of the patient,” adds Dr. Garner.
Read the ‘Nursing Strategies: Conflict Resolution Tools for Workplace Success‘ blog series and leave your comments.
Demonstrating conflict resolution skills is just one way that a nurse can become a leader. Learn how you can empower yourself with an online RN to BSN or RN to MSN degree at American Sentinel University.
Read more about American Sentinel University’s accredited online RN to BSN program or online RN to MSN program or call 866.922.5690.
About American Sentinel University
American Sentinel University delivers the competitive advantages of accredited online degree programs in nursing, informatics, an MBA in health care, and a DNP in executive leadership. Its online bachelor’s and master’s nursing degree programs are accredited by the Commission for the Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The university is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). The Accrediting Commission of DETC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency and is a recognized member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
