Bridging Impasses Between Nurses and Providers

AbstractThis piece builds on research conducted and reported in this issue in which nursing students underwent simulation training to increase their confidence when discussing ethical conflicts with physicians. I discuss here the general importance of nurses and physicians finding ways to work optimally together, especially when they face difficult ethical dilemmas involving patients. These providers reducing any emotional conflict they might have with each other is critically important for several reasons. Chief among these reasons are the direct harm this will cause these patients, due to their feeling increased tension, and also, as a result of this increased tension, their thinking less clearly regarding their utmost medical needs and wants. I discuss why this need is increased when ethics decisions are at stake, and I suggest three specific practical approaches that providers in both groups can use to enhance their ability to interact more harmoniously and synergistically with each other. They can immediately adopt these suggestions in their clinical practices. Their ability to use these suggestions most effectively will, however, continue to increase if and as they continue to use and practice them over time. The positive outcomes for providers using these approaches, even for just a few minutes, may surprise them. Though brief, the difference these approaches can make may be disproportionately substantial. Encounters they dreaded, instead of being confrontational, may become caring, rewarding, and productive.