Nurses’ Experiences of Conflict Management at a Teaching Hospital in Namibia: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore nurses’ experiences of conflict management at a central hospital in Namibia. Conflict in nursing practice is inevitable and experienced regularly. Understanding how nurses experience conflict is at the centre of the successful handling of conflict, which may enhance teamwork and quality of patient care. A phenomenological transcendental (descriptive) phenomenology design was used in this study. Fifteen nurses were purposively selected at the teaching hospital and interviewed to generate data, which were analysed thematically between June and November 2021. Five themes were generated from a rigorous analysis process: understanding of conflict and conflict management; development of conflict; conflict management approaches; consequences of conflict; and in-service training. Conflict situations that nurses face during their practice may remain unresolved or inappropriately resolved if they lack the necessary education and skills in conflict management. Nursing education and continuous education on conflict management should thus be provided to all nurses to empower them to manage conflict situations, which could improve their nursing practice and quality of patient care. There is a need to strengthen conflict management education in both undergraduate and continuous education programmes for nurses.