Challenge Tips

Day 6 — Practice Structured Mediation

Conflict in a health care environment can challenge you mentally, emotionally, and ethically — especially if the conflict centers around patient care or safety. You may not be able to resolve every dispute on your own, and that’s OK. That’s where mediation can help.

A mediator is an impartial 3rd party whose role is to guide a conversation between both parties and resolve the conflict. Mediators do not take sides. Instead, they give each person a safe space to express their views and feelings and help them reach a peaceful resolution.

In health care, a structured mediation process can ensure everyone feels heard and respected, allowing both parties to work toward a solution.

Your Action for Today

Learn about your facility or organization’s mediation or conflict resolution protocols. Here are some places to start:

• Employee handbook: Many organizations outline their conflict resolution process, including mediation, in their employee handbook, policy manual, or HR portal.
• Human resources: Your HR representative can be a helpful source of information on conflict resolution and mediation practices.
• Nurse manager or supervisor: Managers sometimes act as mediators, or they can help you understand your organization’s protocols.
• Training programs: Some facilities offer trainings or workshops around conflict resolution processes.

Understanding your organization’s process will help you feel more confident about resolving conflicts and knowing when to pull in a mediator.

Day 8 sneak peek: Care for your post-conflict relationships.

Missed day 6? Catch up here.