Abstract
The well being of patients depends on the ability of nurses to manage conflict creatively. The Bartol/McSweeney Conflict Management Scale, an assessment tool that helps nurses identify their predisposition toward conflict, is described. The tool is simple to use and suitable for nurses working in different settings.
Conflict is often seen as a problem to be reduced, if not entirely eliminated. A common phenomenon, conflict accompanies human interactions and cannot be totally eradicated. Simmel (1955), who studied conflict extensively, insisted that conflict, if regarded comprehensively, is valuable and can be managed to promote positive change.
Effective conflict management is a vital skill that can be learned; however, for many people conflict situations are upsetting. Disturbed feelings and/or automatic responses to contain or escape distressed feelings often negate effective conflict management. Opportunities for growth and constructive resolution of conflict are needlessly lost. This article describes a conflict management attitude scale that can be used by the educators to help nurses gain insight into their personal styles of conflict management. Information on the development of the tool is included to guide educators in choosing an appropriate tool.
Nurses are at the core of a myriad of interactions in which conflict is present. Managing conflict well is one of the challenges nurses frequently face. All nurses, regardless of their position, must effectively manage conflict in order to provide an environment that stimulates personal growth and ensures quality patient care (Forte, 1997). As the population continues to increase in diversity, nurses will expand their work with persons from different cultures who may address conflict differently (Boggs, 1999). Professional nursing demands expert knowledge of conflict management and the skill to handle conflict situations effectively. Knowing one's attitude toward conflict and preferred style of conflict management is an essential first step to practice professional nursing competently.
Unchecked conflict is costly (Forte, 1997). Ineffective intervention can lower employee morale, decrease productivity, increase absenteeism and turnover, foster resistance to change, and interfere with employee development. Nurses need to be taught to handle conflict effectively to ensure quality care for patients (Eason & Brown, 1999). The Bartol/McSweeney Conflict Management attitude Scale was developed to assist nurses in identifying their attitudes toward conflict management.