Conflict Resolution

CNUR 301 Academic Paper: Conflict Resolution
Purpose: The student will demonstrate an understanding of conflict management and the nurse leader’s
role in having a positive impact on conflict situations. Through examination of nursing leadership
concepts and critical analysis of a case scenario, the student will identify effective conflict resolution
strategies.
Course Outcomes:
• apply conflict resolution principles to relational practice
• understand selected leadership theories (styles)
• apply leadership principles to interprofessional collaborative practice and teamwork
Grading: 30% (of final mark)
Due Date: June 1, 2020 @ 1200 hrs. noon
Guidelines:
• Select one (1) case scenario to analyze [case scenarios outlined below] • To help guide you, refer to the required readings from Unit 3 & 4.
• Analyze the scenario and reflect on the following to guide your writing:
o Identify the type of conflict that is occurring in the scenario.
o Identify and describe the conflict behaviors from the scenario.
o What might be the short term and long term impacts of the conflict?
o What are potential outcomes/consequences if the conflict is not managed?
o What conflict resolution strategies would the nurse leader use in the described scenario?
o Examine one leadership style and explain how it applies to managing the conflict in the
described scenario.
o How would the CNA, Code of Ethics (2017) apply to the scenario?
o How would the National Interprofessional Competency Framework apply to the scenario?
Requirements:
• Analyze the conflict presented in the scenario:
o Describe the type of conflict and conflict behaviours
o Explain one (1) possible impact of the conflict and potential outcomes/consequences if the
conflict is not managed.
• Demonstrate application of the following as it relates to the scenario:
o Two (2) conflict resolution strategies
o One (1) leadership style
o CNA Code of Ethics
o National Interprofessional Competency Framework
• 5-6 pages in length, not including cover or reference page; no abstract or table of contents
required
• Include a minimum of 6 current (within 5 years) and relevant scholarly resources
• Utilize professional nursing concepts and language
• Demonstrates original thought and critical analysis of conflict resolution as it relates to this
scenario
• All technical writing and formatting are consistent with APA 6th edition
Submission Instructions:
o Save your paper as: 301 Academic Paper STUDENT SURNAME (Upper Case), First
name (Lower Case); (i.e.). 301 Academic Paper, DEPP, Johnny
o Upload under the Assignment Submission Tab on CNUR 301 UR course page
Academic Writing Assistance:
o The University of Regina Student Success Center: https://www.uregina.ca/student/ssc/
o Saskatchewan Polytechnic Learning Services: https://saskpolytech.ca/studentservices/academic/online-writing-support.aspx
*** Scenarios on next page ***
Scenarios (Choose One of the Following):
1. A nurse working at the Allan Blair Cancer Clinic overhears her patient and his family discussing
the seriousness of his cancer diagnosis and his advance care directive. The family members
were sharing their personal beliefs, discussing care options and disagreeing with their father’s
wishes. The nurse quietly listened while she set up a new IV line for her patient. Finally, the nurse
could no longer listen to the family and began to forcefully share her opinions and explained why
she had her opinions. The nurse had lost her own father three years earlier to suicide and she
held some very strong values and opinions about living and dying. The family was very shocked
and offended that the nurse interceded in their conversation. One family member told the nurse
that she had no right to tell the patient what to do. The nurse argued that she had a responsibility
to advocate for her. The nurse was angry with the family and left the room in frustration. At the
end of her shift, the nurse posted comments on Facebook regarding the work conflict,
emphasizing her opinion further. The family made a formal complaint to the clinical manager
about the nurse’s behavior.
2. Kathy is a nurse working in a busy emergency department (ER) in a large hospital. She is caring
for a seriously injured patient who had been in a motor vehicle accident. The patient was
deteriorating quickly, and Kathy called for help. Another nurse Denise comes to help. When
Denise arrives she informs Kathy that she did not prioritize the care needs properly and stepped
in to take over setting up the ECG monitor. Denise told Kathy to get an IV line in the patient and
when Kathy went to leave the room, Denise told her that she was disorganized and criticised her
for not having the necessary IV supplies in the patient’s room. The attending physician entered
the room and Denise started to complain about Kathy. The physician firmly told Denise that they
would continue the conversation later and began to assess the patient. The physician had
difficulty responding to the patient’s questions because Denise continued to tell the physician that
he should not trust Kathy’s nursing assessment.
3. George, a RN works very hard on the orthopedic unit and feels that two other RNs are not caring
for their patients nor completing their nursing responsibilities. George is angry because these two
nurses took an extended lunch break and they visited in the medication room for 10 minutes after
coffee break. George decided to talk about the two nurses with his LPN colleague and the unit
clerk, which caused tension and conflict among the staff working on the orthopedic unit. During
the shift, at the unit desk, a patient was waiting to ask a question about her wrist and arm swelling
when she witnessed George, another nurse and the unit clerk yelling at each other, so the patient
decided not to interrupt and went back to her room.
4. Rebecca started her nursing career working on a medical unit in the local city hospital. After
approximately six months of work, Rebecca began to question her decision to become a nurse
and was considering leaving the profession. Rebecca left work feeling deflated and in tears at
least once per week, and she began to ponder whether she liked nursing and if she could
competently care for patients. Rebecca felt belittled by her mentor and unsupported by the other
nurses, who all seemed too busy to help her. She frequently observed her mentor roll her eyes
and sigh loudly when Rebecca asked a question. She also overheard her mentor arguing with the
physiotherapist earlier in the shift regarding care for their shared patient. After lunch, the
physiotherapist approached
Rebecca asking about her mentor, and commenting, “I don’t know how you put up with her!”.
Rebecca felt cornered and was unsure how to reply.