International Journal of Advances in Nursing Management 3(3): July- Sept. 2015 1 www.anvpublication.org ISSN-2347–8632 RESEARCH ARTICLE Identify Conflict Resolution Styles used by Nursing Professionals working in Clinical and Academic settings of selected Hospitals and Nursing Colleges of Southwestern Rajasthan Mr. Chris Thomas Lecturer, SarojLaljiMehrotra Global Nursing College, Aburoad, Rajasthan *Corresponding Author’s Email: christhomas0002@yahoo.com ABSTRACT: Background: Conflict is a situation where the concerns of two people appear to be incompatible. Conflict management is an administrative process that becomes an integral and essential aspect of organizational activity . There are five conflict resolution strategies includes Avoidance, Accommodation, Competition, Compromise and Collaboration. Objectives: (1) To identify the predominant conflict resolution styles used by nursing professionals working in clinical and academic settings. (2) To determine the significant difference in conflict resolution style between clinical and academic settings. (3) To determine the association of conflict resolution styles with their selected demographic variables. Material and Methods: A Non-experimental, Descriptive cross sectional survey approach was used for the study. Data was collected from 100 Nursing Professionals who were working in both clinical and academic settings by Non-probability purposive sampling technique. Standardized Thomas–Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument(TKI) was used for data collection. Results: Distribution of mean, SD and mean% of conflict resolution styles used by Nursing Professionals showed that the highest mean score (7.17±1.94) which is 60% of the total score was obtained in the area of Accommodation and lowest mean score(4.94±1.53) which is 41% was obtained in area of Competition. Accommodation conflict style was used more in age group of more than 44 years and age group of 25-34 years. Nurses in clinical area and academic area used accommodation style most frequently. There was much difference in collaboration style (53.6% clinical vs. 36.6% academic).Conclusion: Accommodation style was most predominantly seen conflict resolution styles used by Nurses. It is used when a person ignores his or her feeling about an issue in order to agree with the right side. KEYWORDS: Conflict resolution styles, Nursing Professionals INTRODUCTION: Conflict has been an integral component of human functioning throughout history. Rahim (2001) suggests that while no single definition is accepted, conflict can be generally described as an interactive process manifested as incompatibility, disagreements, or dissonance within or between social entities (i.e., individuals, groups, and organizations). 1 Received on 17.02.2015 Modified on 02.03.2015 Accepted on 15.03.2015 © A&V Publication all right reserved Int. J. Adv. Nur. Management 3(3): July- Sept. 2015; Page 01-03 Thomas and Kilmann (1974) describe conflict as a situation where the concerns of two people appear to be incompatible. 2 McShulskis (1996) reported that Managers, including those in nursing environments, may spend much of their time resolving employee conflicts. 3 Hirschman (2001) quoted that If conflict is not dealt with properly, it may significantly affect employee morale, increase turnover, and even result in litigation, ultimately affecting the overall well-being of the organization. 4