How do nurses manage
interpersonal conflict?
Research on nurse conflict management
styles in inpatient acute care
environments such as medical-surgical
and critical care units strongly suggests
that nurses prefer the avoidance
approach to manage interpersonal
conflict. One explanation is
that in situations such as nursephysician
interaction, the avoidance
conflict management style may be
used when the nurse, feeling intimidated
by the physician’s “power”
and “authority,” hesitates to confront
the physician about the needs
of patients.13 It may be easier for the
nurse to avoid raising an issue to
avert conflict rather than risk a confrontation.
The Joint Commission
has expressed concern about this
behavior. Avoidance leads to poor
communication, which leads to
poor patient outcomes. It can also
lead to higher levels of stress for
the nurse.