Are There Conflicts Between Nurse Managers and Staff Nurses?

Nurse leaders are considered informal (or formal) managers of the care team.

Their role is to maintain the optimal care that will be in the patient’s best interest and cost-effective at the same time.

As they need to organize care teams, nurse leaders can sometimes come in conflict with staff nurses.

Nurse Managers are in charge of implementing new procedures and changes, and one of their work-related challenges is dealing with staff nurses who refuse to adjust to changes.

A change can be a roadblock for many nurses because most healthcare workers are used to practicing in one particular way.

Some of them follow the motto – ” if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, and are very resistant to change.

Most healthcare systems changes are a result of evidence-based research and show how the health care field can be improved.

Despite being necessary and important for healthcare, a change is stressful and exhausting for staff nurses.

Once they get used to operating modes and learn everything there is to learn about the system, a nurse manager comes with a new method.

Change of the workflow and methods can be draining and staff nurses may show resentment for nurse leaders.

Another common challenge occurs because of a lack of understanding of the nurse manager’s job.

Sometimes nurse leaders aren’t in direct contact with patients.

So, staff nurses may feel frustrated that a person who isn’t aware of the realistic condition decides on the important care aspects.

Also, staff nurses often feel that decisions are based on ideal conditions in the nursing field, while the reality is completely different.

Staff nurses believe that a nurse manager, working from its office, have difficulties understanding the real situation.

The resilience goes as far as the staff nurses accuse nurse managers of selling out to the profession, and there can be a high level of disengagement from bedside nursing.

A nurse leader, work behind the scenes and is focused on improving patient care.

Taking a step back from the direct contact with the patient, and utilizing all knowledge, experience, and clinical expertise, allows nurse leaders to advocate for patients with the top management.

The role of the nurse leader is to improve efficiency and manage healthcare costs.

Some people believe that improved efficiency is equal to fewer healthcare workers, but it isn’t the case.

In healthcare, improve efficiency is more related to finding distinct treatments that will save time and money, while providing the best care.

A career in nursing is highly rewarding but can be very stressful.

In the past and nowadays, there is and always will be a certain level of disagreements between staff nurses and nurse leaders.

The thing to have in mind is that every healthcare worker is important for the patient and that healthcare workers need to collaborate to achieve better patient outcomes and employers’ goals.

Open communication and collaboration help to resolve and decrease issues between nurse leaders and staff nurses.