Withstanding the pressure of the profession.

Nurses often practice in chaotic, demanding work environments. Understanding the negative impact these environments have on nurses and patients is paramount to halting this epidemic. Researchers' decade-old call for administrators and managers to correct this occupational hazard is ineffective in decreasing the effects of prolonged work-related stress on nurses. Staff development educators' modeling proactive conflict resolution skills can empower nurses to create therapeutic environments for themselves and patients.