Discussion: NURS 6221 Differences at Work and “Identity Abrasions”

Discussion: NURS 6221 Differences at Work and “Identity Abrasions”

A more diverse workforce can create abrasive interactions that require your attention as a nurse executive. Miscommunication, misunderstanding, or entrenched and antiquated attitudes and beliefs may result in situations where one employee is offended, perhaps deeply, by others. These “identity abrasions” that occur when ideas and attitudes clash naturally vary but relate most typically to gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and other defining qualities of individuals.

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This Discussion provides examples of conflict situations and offers an opportunity to consider how you would respond as a nurse executive. Given understanding and empathy are key in supporting employees, approach each vignette from the perspective of the individual who feels wronged and what that individual may need in terms of resolution.

To Prepare:

Review the Learning Resources on diversity and inclusion in healthcare organizations.

Your Instructor will identify three “Differences at Work” vignettes as the focus of this Discussion. Read the three case studies and choose one as the subject of your Discussion post.

Identify the issues in your chosen case study and reflect on how a diversity and inclusion perspective might mitigate, address, or contribute to the concept of “identity abrasion” in the workplace.

Consider how this situation might affect organizational performance, staff morale and retention, and/or competitive advantage.

Consider how you would respond if you were the employee in your chosen vignette and what kind of support and resolutions you might seek, or what you would recommend to this individual in terms of responses.

Discussion: NURS 6221 Differences at Work and “Identity Abrasions”

By Day 3 of Week 8

Post the following:

Briefly describe the case study you selected, and explain the elements of “identity abrasion” in the employee’s experience. From the position of the employee, describe what actions and strategies would be most welcome and effective for resolving this conflict situation. Support your post with Learning Resources or current literature.

Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.

By Day 6 of Week 1

Respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days, preferably one colleague who selected the same case study and one who selected a different case study. For a colleague with the same case study, compare your understanding and analysis of the situation and expand on or propose different strategies or actions for responding to the employee’s experience. For colleague(s) with different case studies, explain your questions or insights on the case study from the colleague’s description and suggest additional or alternative responses. Support your ideas with Learning Resources or current literature.

Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the Post to Discussion Question link, and then select Create Thread to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click on Submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and you cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking on Submit!