Managing conflict situations nursing students encounter during their clinical practice, narrated and performed through Forum Play

Abstract

AIM: To describe and illuminate conflict situations nursing students encounter during their clinical practice, narrated and performed through Forum Play. BACKGROUND: Conflicts are common in healthcare settings and affect patient care and the wellbeing of nurses. To be able to manage complex practice situations, conflict management is an essential competence for nurses and should be highlighted during education. The aim of the study was to describe and illuminate conflict situations nursing students encounter during their clinical practice, narrated and performed through Forum Play. DESIGN: The study was designed as a summative qualitative analysis of written group assignments related to nursing students' participation in a drama workshop. METHOD: A summative qualitative content analysis of written group assignments related to nursing students' participation in a drama workshop, focusing on conflict management. During the workshop the students explored conflict situations they had encountered during clinical practice, through Forum Play. After the workshop, the students handed in a mandatory written group assignment where they described one of the conflict situations. RESULTS: The findings are presented in three categories; Parties; Arenas; Situations, one main theme; "Who knows best" and two subthemes; Difficulties to adapt to the new and Difficulties reaching a mutual understanding. CONCLUSION: Conflict situations that nursing students encounter during their clinical practice often stem from the health care staff's difficulties in adapting to the new and difficulty reaching a mutual understanding. Conflict management can be implemented as a powerful learning strategy in nursing education.