2023 1 excellent post I can imagine it is a great challenge to be without a manager and I am glad

 
1- excellent post. I can imagine it is a great challenge to be without a manager, and I am glad to hear you may have a new manager soon. I agree that stress, job dissatisfaction, and a negative work environment can lead to conflicts. Our text book states that conflict is a natural and inevitable outcome in any group or organization. Conflict has the potential to be a positive force in determining group performance. Since conflict is natural and Huber (2014) states it should be accepted, one important part is how we deal with a negative conflict, and how we work as a team work to solve it. I also agree that not everyone can be a manager. It is indeed a challenging job, and it takes a very special person to handle being a manager while being successful and appreciated by his/her employees.

Thank you.

Reference: 

Huber, D. (2014). Leadership and Nursing Management, 5th Ed. [Pageburstls]. 

Retrieved from https://pageburstls.elsevier.com/#/books/9781455740710/

2-The readings this week discuss power and conflict extensively. Our textbook states that common sources of conflicts within organizations include communication, power, personalities, values, roles, and resources. Furthermore, change increases the risk for conflict within a group or an organization. Changes can be both positive and negative; they may lead to either stress and conflict, or something positive that results in an improvement within the workplace (Huber, 2014).

Conflict is a natural and inevitable outcome in any group or organization and should be accepted; the crucial part is how employees deal with conflict and how they try to solve it. Also, according to Huber (2014), there are different types of conflicts. In this particular example, the situation appears to be related to relationship conflict; awareness of interpersonal incompatibilities, which includes feelings of frustration and tension among the nurses and the new director. Also, this director appears to have an autocratic leadership style; she makes all the decisions without inviting feedback from other employees (Sfantou et al., 2017).

As mentioned above, power can be a source of conflict in a group setting. When used incorrectly, power may lead to conflict within a team of individuals. Consequently, this may lead to ineffective teamwork, and a negative work environment. As a nurse leader, it is important to address conflicts as soon as possible, as it may result in dysfunctional and destructive outcomes. In this scenario, I would suggest using the creative problem-solving mode. The goal is to come to a solution that leads to feelings of gain and no feelings of loss for all participants; a win-win solution. According to Huber (2014), creative problem solving is the most effective mode of conflict management. When using this approach, there are a few important steps to include. These steps are:

1)    Initiate discussion

2)    Respect individual differences

3)    Be empathic with everyone involved

4)    Have assertive dialogue; keep feelings and facts separate, clearly state the main issues, be an active listener

5)    Agree on a solution that balances the power and satisfies everyone involved

Though the word power relates to strength, it can also mean the ability to control and dominate. In addition, power can be viewed as something positive. Nurse leaders recognize that understanding and acknowledging power and learning to seek it appropriately, is imperative in nurses’ efforts to help shape their own practice and the broader health care environment. As the largest health care professional, nursing must use power and influence to facilitate change in health care organizations (Huber, 2014).

References:

Huber, D. (2014). Leadership and Nursing Care Management, 5th Edition. Retrieved from http://evolve.elsevier.com

Sfantou, D. F., Laliotis, A., Patelarou, A. E., Sifaki-Pistolla, D., Matalliotakis, M., & Patelarou, E. (2017). Importance of Leadership Style towards Quality of Care Measures in Healthcare Settings: A Systematic Review. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 5(4), 73. doi:10.3390/healthcare5040073

3-I can see why there could be some resentment when input was not requested from the current employees. I am currently going through a reorganization with management at my place of employment. For months, we have been without a nurse manager, but we just received word of a newly hired manager. I feel that this new manager will be faced with conflict from current staff since we have gone without for so long.

There are three different types of conflict, these include intrapersonal, interpersonal, and intergroup (Huber, 2014). Intrapersonal conflict comes from within a person; this could be stress or internal conflict (Huber, 2014). Interpersonal conflict occurs when conflicting roles occur between different responsibilities (Huber, 2014). Leadership and Nursing Care Management gives the example of the working parent deciding if they should go to work or stay home to take care of their sick child (2014). Intergroup conflict when there is conflict between different groups (Huber, 2014).

There are different factors that could lead to conflict. A few examples include job dissatisfaction, stress, and negative work environment (Huber, 2014). In order to resolve conflict, one must first assess the situation; it is helpful to have an open mind to new ideas and be accepting to help that is offered (Huber, 2014). It is also best to address problems soon after they arise, scheduling a staff meeting is one way that the problems are able to be addressed promptly (Huber, 2014). I feel that having open communication with staff members is appreciated. If I was a Nurse Manager, I would be sure to listen to my staff member’s concerns, and address issues early on. I would also be sure to make the staff aware that they are appreciated. A staff member who feels appreciated will likely go the extra mile at work.

I feel that not everyone can be a manager. Managers can have difficult jobs when attempting to restructure or change an organization, and they will likely face pushback from some employees. It is helpful to understand that change is never easy, especially for employees who are used to doing things a certain way. Having an open mind and a little understanding from all involved will go a long way.

Huber, D. (2014). Leadership and Nursing Care Management, 5th Edition. [Pageburstls].

 Retrieved from https://pageburstls.elsevier.com/#/books/9781455740710/