A Nurse's Patience

Description

Chandra is the head nurse at Sick Kids Hospital, and she is a very busy person. She has no time or patience for goofing around and bickering. She constantly is having trouble with two nurses who work on the same floor that are arguing with each other everyday. Celeste is a new nurse in the hospital, and Mariama does not like her because she is the “new girl”. They constantly go back and forth until Chandra yells at the both of them to get back to work. Mariama feels disrespected that Chandra does not take her side in these arguments. Celeste feels that she has been treated poorly by these two nurses since she got the job. One day, while working an afternoon shift, Emma, a child and youth care worker brings in a child that she has been taking care of. The child is having an anxiety attack and is being violent. Emma wants the child to get attention right away, but Celeste and Mariama begin to argue about who is more busy and who will take this new patient. Emma sees this and gets upset, raising her voice and making a scene. Mark, an occupational health and safety coordinator, sees the conflict while on a workplace inspection. He steps in and is able to call Chandra and calm Emma down. Chandra once again raises her voice at Mariama and Celeste and demands Celeste take the patient. Mariama leaves for a smoke. From there, Mark pulls Chandra aside, and asks why she is not de-escalating all these conflicts, as it is her job as a supervisor. Chandra is still busy and tries to push Mark away. Mark insists on setting up a meeting with her tomorrow and she finally agrees so long as he leaves her unit. During the meeting the next day, Mark goes over why conflict resolution is important and some techniques on de-escalating conflict. Chandra leaves the room feeling skeptical but positive. She bumps into Celeste and Mariama having yet another argument. This time, instead of yelling at them to get back to work, she talks to them and listens to what they are saying. She uses the techniques that Mark showed her and Mariama is finally able to see how she could be more welcoming and nicer to Celeste. Celeste is able to see how Mariama feels threatened by a new nurse, and the two are able to see eye to eye for the first time. Chandra feels a tremendous relief from this conflict as it makes her life easier and less stressful. The two are now not the best of friends, however, they are able to work together without arguing.