Conflict resolution in a nutshell: tips for everyday nursing.

Current health care is a breeding ground for conflicts, both small and large. The effects of discord range from wasted personal energy to destruction of people and institutions. Nurses from direct patient care, administration, education, and research all need effective conflict resolution skills to maximize the benefit of nursing's all too scarce resources. Assessment of the cause, ownership, cost/benefit ratio, and elements that need to be addressed is the first step. Five conflict behaviors have distinct advantages and disadvantages: avoidance, competition, accommodation, compromise, and collaboration can each be right or wrong in different situations and under different circumstances. While planning resolution, it is important to understand the wants, feelings, reasons, and perspectives of all participants before devising wise mutual options. Finally, evaluation of results is necessary to complete the process. Each conflict that is successfully resolved makes the future a little easier.