Deans of nursing: perceived sources of conflict and conflict-handling modes

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between sources of conflict with nursing faculty and deans' conflict-handling styles. A three-part questionnaire was sent to 257 deans of baccalaureate nursing programs. One hundred sixty-seven deans responded. The findings showed that deans identified two levels of conflict with nursing faculty, and sources of conflict leading to each level. Deans perceived no change in conflict-handling styles in relation to conflict source or perceived effect. In addition, significant relationships were found among conflict-handling modes, conflict sources, and demographic data.