NCLEX® QOTD: Conflict resolution

The nurse manager notices there is a conflict within the hospital unit regarding the use of a new electronic scheduling system. The nurse manager resolves this conflict by negotiating with those involved to find a cooperative solution. Which type of conflict resolution is the nurse manager using?

A. Compromise

B. Accommodation

C. Avoidance

D. Competing

The correct answer to today's NCLEX-RN® Question is...

A. Compromise

Rationale: Compromising is when everyone involved in the conflict negotiates and cooperates to find a solution. This is the most common style of conflict resolution for nurse managers and administrators because the result is generally accepted by those involved without consuming a lot of time. 

Major Takeaway

There are five distinct approaches commonly used to resolve conflict: avoiding, accommodating, competing, compromising, and collaborating. When using the compromising approach, everyone involved in the conflict negotiates and cooperates to find a solution. This is the most common style of conflict resolution for nurse managers and administrators because the result is generally accepted by those involved without consuming a lot of time. 

Incorrect answer explanations

B. Accommodation

Rationale: Accommodation refers to an individual neglecting their own needs to cooperate with those around them and is not the conflict resolution technique used by the nurse manager.

C. Avoidance

Rationale: Avoidance refers to an individual withdrawing completely, which can cause the conflict to be postponed or escalate and is not the conflict resolution technique used by the nurse manager.

D. Competing

Rationale: Competing is a mode of conflict resolution when an individual pursues their own needs without taking others into consideration, and is not the conflict resolution technique used by the nurse manager.

E. Collaboration

Rationale: Collaboration involves analyzing situations at a higher level to identify shared goals and commitments, which is the most meaningful but also the most time-consuming approach. This is not the conflict resolution technique used by the nurse manager.

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