A nurse manager is planning to assist with resolving conflict within a group of nurses. Which of the following actions should the nurse manager take?

Choice A reason: Encouraging open communication fosters dialogue, allowing nurses to resolve conflicts directly. This reduces tension and improves teamwork by addressing interpersonal issues, aligning with psychological principles of conflict resolution. Effective communication mitigates misunderstandings, enhancing collaboration in high-stress healthcare environments. Choice B reason: Assigning an external mediator may help but is premature without trying internal resolution. Encouraging team dialogue leverages existing relationships, fostering cohesion. External mediators may not address unit-specific dynamics, making internal communication a more effective first step in resolving nurse conflicts. Choice C reason: Mandatory team-building exercises may improve morale but do not directly resolve specific conflicts. Forcing participation can increase resentment if issues persist. Communication-based strategies target root causes, making them more effective for conflict resolution in healthcare teams compared to generic team-building. Choice D reason: Reassigning nurses to different shifts avoids conflict but disrupts workflow and patient care continuity. It fails to address underlying issues, allowing tensions to persist. Communication-focused approaches promote resolution, maintaining team integrity and collaboration in healthcare settings, unlike reassignment.