The tyranny of consensus: implications for nursing education

The egalitarian appeal of decision making based on consensus has been valued as a strong alternative to other decision making approaches such as voting. In this paper, we identify some of the challenges inherent in this view, and suggest consideration of alternative decision making approaches needed at times to help nurse educators in their work with students and colleagues. As nurse educators, we have a responsibility to educate students about the meanings of consensus, to encourage open discussion about implicit values underlying behaviors, and help them appreciate the importance of dissent in a democratic society. Our challenge is to ensure that we are using, and teaching, the best decision making process for the circumstance.