Nursing conflict with co worker. A lot of personalities don’t mesh well.
Nursing conflict with co worker Understanding effective conflict resolution strategies in nursing our full guide. I’ve been a nurse for about 3 years now and I can’t even count how many conflicts I’ve had because the hospital is a high stress environment and sometimes it can bring out the worse in us. The patient’s BP had been Aug 5, 2021 · General Nursing Article › Co-Worker Conflict? 8 Tips for Having Difficult Conversation… Co-Worker Conflict? 8 Tips for Having Difficult Conversations You have, or will, experience co-worker conflict at some point in your career. I recently had a patient with HTN who was scheduled to have a stress test. We get it. For a detailed explanation of how to answer nursing interview questions dealing with conflict resolution, check out the linked article. Sep 24, 2025 · In high-stress healthcare environments, nurses face a wide range of interpersonal, intrapersonal, and organizational conflicts. Dec 1, 2022 · To be motivated about the potential of becoming a nurse, view this video: QUESTION 2: Tell me about a time when you had an issue with a co-worker This is a behavioral interview question, so use it as an opportunity to discuss a time when you successfully worked with a coworker to resolve a conflict. Nov 8, 2019 · Richard Burnell, who works in the NHS as a specialist in conflict and mediation, shares his tips on how to resolve conflict as a nurse. Objective: This systematic review aimed to identify the most prevalent conflict management styles and strategies employed by nurses in clinical settings and to examine the factors associated with their selection. Workplaces are filled with diverse people who come from different backgrounds and viewpoints, so conflicts are bound to arise at some point especially in a high-pressure Conflict is inevitable in healthcare and often intensified by the high-stakes, stressful environment and diverse team dynamics. S: At my last job, our weekly supply order was late, and I had to face angry clients and co-workers. Unearth the secrets of confidently addressing nursing interview questions, specifically focusing on the challenging theme of "Conflict Resolution". Tell me about a time you faced a conflict at work. Oct 9, 2025 · Ever worked with difficult co-workers at your nursing assistant job? Here are some tips on dealing with them without losing your mind. Mar 21, 2024 · Workplace conflict is inevitable, especially in healthcare. Indeed job website has great section on nursing interview q& a’s including conflict/behavioural questions UK specific. What's worse, I have discovered through practicing common tough questions, that I really don't have a good answer to the "how have you dealt with a conflict with a coworker or boss?" Has anyone else Jan 19, 2017 · Confrontation with Coworkers? 4 Ways How Nurses Can Handle Them Updated on January 19, 2017 By Kristen Smith, R. How can I address this conflict without escalating it? Let’s get real for a minute. S. N. Using the collaboration strategy, you can work with your team to decide how to prioritize care and allocate resources to benefit everyone. You don’t necessarily have to provide an example that involves you being a part of the conflict. Nov 20, 2025 · Nursing interview questions include several behavioural questions that evaluate the qualities needed for the role. Learning how to manage it may reduce related adverse consequences. Jul 28, 2022 · Research conducted on conflict between Registered Nurses (RNs) has established that it happens regularly within the hospital setting, that it adversely affects the health and well-being of RNs, impacts the effective functioning of the health care organization, and compromises quality patient care. In this article, we discuss how to prepare for behavioural interview Conflict occurs frequently in any workplace; health care is not an exception. May 25, 2023 · Learn how to answer conflict resolution interview questions. Learning how to deal with a coworker you literally can't stand isn’t fun. “Tell me about a time you had a conflict at work” is a tricky interview question to answer. By following these tips, CNAs can remain professional and work towards a resolution with their coworkers. In this article, we discuss the importance of maintaining professional Apr 4, 2025 · With the right preparation and framework, your answer to “Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a coworker” won’t just satisfy the interviewer—it will set you apart as a candidate who brings valuable interpersonal skills to every workplace challenge. Aug 15, 2019 · Hello all, I'm starting to get into the serious panic phase of waiting for my interview. To deal with more severe forms of conflict that involve bullying, verbal abuse, physical violence, and other forms of incivility in nursing, the American Nurses Association (ANA) created and oversees a program to protect nurses from workplace conflict, both internal and external. Jul 24, 2025 · Learn why conflict resolution is important in nursing, the three main types of conflicts in nursing and a strategy you can use to help resolve conflicts. Knowing which questions to prepare for can help you enter the interview with confidence. We suggest telling a story about a time you dealt with a co-worker who had a conflicting personality, a disagreement within your healthcare team, or a challenging patient case involving your team. A better example would be a time you and a coworker disagreed on how to move forward with a project, or what software to use or something like that. When tensions rise, conflict resolution skills must come into play. I think you're thinking about the question wrong; it's not so much about interpersonal relationships and whether you smile at each other in the hallway - it's about how you work together. Learning the right strategies for confronting irritating or problem-causing coworkers will help you as a nurse navigate the situation with more ease. This article shares tips for effectively navigating interpersonal conflict. Nursing conflict scenario examples interview question is one of the most common ones. Learn strategies to resolve conflicts in your nursing team. These are the real interview answers they gave from their practice session with a hospital interviewer at a top 10 U. Aug 8, 2025 · Learn how to handle conflict in nursing with confidence. Mar 24, 2024 · In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into common nursing conflict scenario interview questions and provide expert sample answers to help you shine during your interview. May 13, 2025 · Nursing employers tend to lean towards asking behavioral-based interview questions. For nurses, the fast-paced nature of the job, frequent staff changes, and diverse personalities can sometimes lead to friction among team members. Find 21 sample answers to help you ace conflict interview questions in your next interview! Abstract Background Research conducted on conflict between Registered Nurses (RNs) has established that it happens regularly within the hospital setting, that it adversely affects the health and well-being of RNs, impacts the effective functioning of the health care organization, and compromises quality patient care. Aug 7, 2025 · Managing conflict with a coworker is an important skill for maintaining a positive and effective work environment, especially in a high-stress setting like nursing. I hate conflict and try to stay out of drama as best I can. They don’t teach you in nursing school that much about conflict resolution with co workers. However, when it comes to dating a coworker in a nursing environment, nurses face potential ethical complexities that can compromise their professional roles and responsibilities. Learn how to resolve disputes with these conflict resolution strategies in healthcare. When answering such questions, try to focus on your problem-solving skills. The questions help the interviewer determine your ability to carry out various nursing responsibilities and tasks. . My area had terrible weather about 2 weeks ago and we had one of our trees fall in our yard, some roof damage that let water in and messed up the ceiling, and were without power for 3 days. Mar 7, 2025 · Explore "10 Conflict Resolution Examples for Nursing Interviews" to learn effective strategies and real-life scenarios that will help you succeed in your nursing interviews and enhance your conflict resolution skills. T: I was in charge of ordering supplies each week, and they did not arrive on time. In this article, the phrase conflicting working relationships (CWRs) is used 1. How To Deal With Difficult Coworkers If you’re at a loss on how to manage your career and relationships with a difficult coworker, here are some of the ways you can do it: Focus on Yourself Feb 8, 2023 · One example of a conflict with a coworker that received a favorable response involved "workplace bullying. Abstract Dealing with difficult personalities is a part of every nurse leader's career. This descriptive and cross-sectional study aimed to Jun 9, 2024 · Nursing Advice: How to Deal with a Challenging Coworker Dear NursePixel: There’s a nurse on my team who constantly undermines my decisions and talks behind my back. Master the art and ace your nursing interviews! Oct 3, 2024 · Conflict in the workplace is an inevitable reality, especially in high-stress environments like healthcare. Explore some tactics for conflict resolution in nursing. Because we’re going to face conflict regularly at our jobs and we need to know how to handle it appropriately. Apr 20, 2023 · Low Job and Life Satisfaction Coworkers who are hostile, unsupportive, or critical can decrease morale, making it difficult to stay motivated and inspired. Research demonstrates that training in conflict Having trouble with difficult nurse colleagues? Be proactive and face this challenge head-on with the following tips to deal with difficult coworkers. These can stem from heavy workloads, complex relationships, and the emotionally charged nature of their work, often leading to burnout and dissatisfaction. Aug 30, 2022 · For nurses, dealing with difficult coworkers can make a challenging job even more difficult. How coworkers get along is a priority in nursing. " I described helping another nurse who was trying to enter an order into the computer for heparin to flush a portacath. Nevertheless, annoying and rude coworkers are and will be part of a professional environment. Apr 17, 2024 · Nursing is a highly demanding profession that requires nurses to maintain professional boundaries to ensure patient safety and foster trust. Here, we tell you the top behavioral-based interview questions, with answer samples and exactly how to answer nurse interview questions. Recently, one of my colleagues crossed the line and I called her out on it. Jun 10, 2024 · If the conflict continues, go to your supervisor; follow your facility’s chain-of-command. Real Q&A from hired new grad nurses. This Tips and Tools guide, is designed to help you better understand how to prevent and manage conflict in your work environment. We (coworker and I) may be in opposition to one another but we both have the patient in our Sep 24, 2025 · Nurses, the unsung heroes of healthcare, often find themselves at the epicenter of a stressful environment. It’s not just about the long hours or the high stakes—it’s about managing the complexities of human emotions and medical needs simultaneously. The nurse before me (who was also my preceptor during orientation) said not to give the scheduled blood pressure meds before the test because it would interfere with the results. Interpersonal conflicts are common in the workplace, and it’s easy to get caught up in them. Methods: A comprehensive literature Apr 24, 2024 · Learn how nurses handle workplace conflicts, including tips on understanding different perspectives and conflict resolution techniques. 6 days ago · 10 tips to handle difficult coworkers, reduce stress, set boundaries, and improve workplace relationships with professionalism and emotional intelligence. Jul 15, 2025 · If the conflict persists, don’t be afraid to ask for help from a supervisor or other healthcare professional. The information is based on the RNAO Healthy Work Environment, Best Practice Guideline: Preventing and Mitigating Conflict in Health-Care Teams. Key thing: Make sure you mention the patient. In this article, the phrase conflicting working relationships (CWRs) is used to represent working Dealing with difficult personalities is a part of every nurse leader's career. All conflict, regardless of how big or small, can lead to The resolution should always involve you and the other coworker in agreement. Last week, she even questioned my competence in front of a patient. Workplace conflict is common among nurses globally. Conflict resolution in nursing is a crucial skill for nurse leaders. Like many aspects of leadership, having a thoughtful and consistent approach can make all the difference. If you cant find on website just google ‘answering conflict questions in nursing interviews’ -. I even like to say something like, “Whenever I have a conflict with a coworker, I like to put the patient at the center. Real-life scripts and strategies to navigate team tension, protect patient safety, and lead with professionalism. Nurse–patient/relatives conflicts may adversely impact the well-being and work performance of nurses, which could prelude to the possibility of unwanted errors thereby threatening patient safety. Recognizing and addressing these conflicts is crucial for maintaining a harmonious workplace and also for Here you will find examples of conflict in healthcare setting. Jun 16, 2025 · Conflicts naturally arise in every job, but how you deal with conflict can tell employers a lot about your attitude in the workplace. "Conflict" doesn't have to mean there was hostility, merely Jul 27, 2023 · Got conflict? For on-the-job success, explore types of conflict, plus a must-have checklist with five tips for managing conflict in nursing. Understanding how to address conflicts with curiosity, open Resolution: One of the most essential skills for nurses is critical thinking, and utilizing this skill is one way to accomplish conflict resolution in nursing caused by limited resources. Nursing Interview Questions (with example answers) That Has to Do with Conflict Resolution These are just examples of conflict resolution-style questions with answers. Conflicts arise due to multiple factors, including resource limitations, communication barriers, and varied perspectives on patient care. And never share details on social media! Conclusion Conflicts can actually have positive outcomes because they provide opportunities to improve. Would Your Nursing Assistants Like to Know More? If you’d like to give your CNAs more information about workplace conflict, consider presenting an inservice on conflict resolution that includes: The common ways that people approach Jul 16, 2021 · These tips to improve conflict resolution in nursing may help you learn how to better deal with difficult doctors and workplace tensions. Hi, I’ve been a nurse for six months now and I’m wondering if I should apologize to another nurse or not. According to a recent study, 87% of nurses worldwide have experienced negative workplace behavior throughout their careers, and up to 60% of Interview Question: Was there a time there was conflict with a colleague and how was the situation dealt with? May 24, 2019 · Learn how to manage challenging colleagues in the nursing profession. Here's a quick guide on how to cope. But that can lead to reduced creativity, slower and worse decision-making, and even fatal mistakes Jul 29, 2024 · Nursing involves complex coordination and teamwork, so nurses need to know how to resolve conflicts. This article presents eight practical approaches to handling disagreements respectfully, drawing from expert insights within the healthcare profession. The negative consequences include dysfunctional team work, decreased patient satisfaction, and increased employee turnover. Oct 17, 2024 · Nursing can have its challenges, but unfortunately, one of them can be difficult coworkers. The Importance of Conflict Resolution in Nursing Conflicts are an inherent part of the healthcare environment. Here are some strategies and tips to help you manage conflict with a coworker! Oct 11, 2025 · 8 Strategies for Nurses to Handle Workplace Conflicts Respectfully Workplace conflicts in nursing can impact patient care and team morale, requiring effective resolution strategies. This article is going to talk about conflict resolution in nursing practice. Jan 1, 2025 · Check out these nursing conflict scenario interview question examples and answers so that you can do your best in your interview. May 6, 2010 · In the meantime, they agree that the conflict is over, and they both decide to apologize to their co-workers. The information on this site is provided as a courtesy and for informational purposes only. Discover strategies to address disruptive behaviors impacting patient care and workplace harmony. See the 5 nursing interview conflict examples from here. A lot of personalities don’t mesh well. Inappropriate management of conflict is attributed to decreased productivity, poor morale and financial loss for organisations. Jun 9, 2025 · Video: Nursing Interview: Describe a Time You Had a Conflict With a Coworker Registered nurse Alexa discusses an interview question regarding conflict with coworkers, provides an example answer, and explains why employers ask this question. In a hospital setting, every disagreement has See also: Mayo Clinic Nurse Interview Questions How to Answer About Conflict Scenarios in Nursing Interview? These were a few nursing conflict scenario examples. While some may be severe, most of our conflicts can be resolved without needing management to step in. It’s difficult to know how to respond without coming across as aggressive or disagreeable. Don’t gossip with co-workers; this can escalate the problem. Nothing feels more frustrating than advocating for a patient’s needs and being met with conflict from a supervisor or colleague.