Challenge Tips

Day 5 — Identify the Root Cause

Sometimes, a conflict stems from something deeper than a simple disagreement. Underlying problems within a team or system can cause ongoing tension and impact the working environment. Deeper causes of workplace conflict in nursing may include:

• Ambiguous organizational structure, hierarchy, or roles
• Disagreements about treatment plans, responsibilities, or processes
• Ethical disputes around patient care
• Issues with workload distribution, staffing, and shifts
• Limited resources or unequal resource allocation

Identifying the underlying cause of conflict and determining a solution that addresses the core problem will help create a safer, more harmonious work environment.

Your Action for Today

Use a root cause analysis (RCA) tool like the “5 Whys” [PDF] to help you uncover and solve a problem. With this tool, you repeatedly ask why an event occurred until you get to the initial issue. Here are some helpful steps:

• Gather: Invite each person involved in the conflict to participate.
• Explain: Allow each participant to explain the conflict.
• Ask: Have the participants answer 5 “why” questions to get to the root of the problem. (See examples here.)
• Solve: As a group, discuss the best way to solve the underlying issue so the conflict doesn’t recur.

You can be an agent of change in your organization! By looking for patterns and asking questions, you and your team can spot hidden problems, improve your environment, and enhance patient care.

Join us on day 6: A sneak peek - Seek a solution for all.

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