So I have a specific situation at work that I would like your suggestions on how to resolve. I will get to that after answering the first two questions for this post.
- Explain one communication skill for managing conflict in the workplace.
The video describes something that I came to my own realization of the other morning driving home from work. That is, that my story going on in my head about a situation may be totally different than the story going on in the head of the person I’m having a conflict with (or the person I think I’m having a conflict with).
- Identify one of your “hot buttons”. Explain how you would prepare to manage the identified “hot button” in the future using conflict management techniques.
I don’t think I have a “hot button” based on a specific phrase or comment a person makes. Overall, it takes quite a bit to get me upset. However, a person’s general attitude or the way they try to portray themselves can get to me. For example a new nurse who tries to come off knowing much more than they possibly can at their stage in the learning curve. Or for my situation in which I would like some suggestions…day shift RNs in our unit that cannot pause long enough to return a “good morning” or return a smile.
So…what really gets me is having to give a hand-off report to our day shift RNs. I have just started floating and have found that the day shift attitude in other units is much different than the attitude of the day shift RNs in the unit I work. Our day shift RNs (ok…80% of them) are ultra type A. I can be myself, but I think I am pretty easy going. I like to greet my on coming RN that I am giving a report to with “hey good morning!” or something to that effect. But most often, they are five steps ahead of me heading to their patient’s room. No good morning, no smile…nothing. For me, it makes it very uncomfortable to give report. I know that I am taking this personally. I also realized because I just finished my first year as a new grad, I still have some insecurities…maybe the RN hates the way I give report… or they think I’m a crappy nurse. You know the head games we play with ourselves…
There is one particular RN that I am having difficulties with (in my head at least). She is a brand new grad, has been on the floor by herself for about 4 months. She started as a CNA as I did, but she was one year behind me in school. She is also a good 25 years younger than me. When I give hand-off to her in the AM, there is so much attitude from her. Again, no smile, super serious, nothing friendly about her. Any interaction with her and her answers are very curt. However, as soon as she is finished getting report from me and I watch her interactions with others, she is quite different. I did mention my concerns with a fellow co-worker who gives report to her and they were surprised.
I wish that I were able to let this go, but I dread any morning when I have to give hand-off to her. Sorry for the rambling, but any suggestions you my have are appreciated!
I’m sorry to hear you are having issues with this coworker. If it has happened repeatedly and other coworkers aren’t having the same issue I feel like you probably need to confront her. I would suggest doing it alone and in a calm way. Try to use phrases like “I feel like…” instead of “You always seems…”. Maybe she will open up and talk it out, maybe not. However, if you get no where talking to her first I think it would then be appropriate to move up the chain of command to address the issue. I’m afraid for your sake if you don’t confront the issue the behaviors won’t change. Best of luck!
I agree with Rebecca’s suggestion. You do need to confront her. It may not change her attitude but at least it is off your chest. I would try to pull her aside in a quiet secluded place and just flat out ask her ” Did I do something to offend you”? “I feel like we have gotten off on the wrong foot”? Something to that effect. Maybe she feels intimidated? As for day shift RN’s. I have worked night shift and day shift and there are all different personalities on both shifts! I always like to give the other person the benefit of the doubt like maybe they just are not a morning person and it takes a few hours for them to perk up. Or maybe something happened right before they came to work that has ruffled their feathers. However, if this is something that is happening daily then I would just be the bigger person and say “Good Morning!” Good Luck!
Thank you both for your feedback. I think I will have a talk with her. I’m just not sure how to start it off. I like your suggestions Beth.
I have been mulling this around the past week, because I do go home feeling beaten down after giving report to several of the morning RNs. In speaking with a few of the other night shift RNs, it turns out that they have issues with the same few that I do. Somehow this makes me feel better. I realize that I was allowing my insecurities to get in the way. Feeling that perhaps I was a crappy RN and that’s why they always found some little fault in my work to comment on. As it turns out, those few are just that way…not me! So…I’m going to continue being my happy self in the morning, greet them the way that feels natural to me and go on about my nursing in the best way I know how.