Conflict management as a nurse’s competency in the surgical ward

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the perception of nurses in a surgical ward regarding conflict management as a professional competence and the strategies for managing it. Method: This is an exploratory and qualitative study. The setting was a public hospital in Minas Gerais. The study population consisted of nurses from the surgical ward, with data collected between June and December 2024. Inductive content analysis was used. The study was approved by the institution's ethics committee. Results: Categories emerged: “Factors associated with conflict management competence”, related to interprofessional, ethical, and communication skills; “Causes of conflicts”, linked to work overload and other factors; and “Management strategies”, such as team meetings and respectful dialogue, which contribute to improving the quality of care. Conclusion: Nurses recognize conflict management as an essential competency in their professional practice, combining technical, emotional, and communication skills. The management strategies identified reveal efforts to promote more harmonious work environments and improve the quality of care provided.