# Situation: A 36-bed orthopedic and ophthalmology ward of a public hospital is staffed by a charge nurse, staff nurses, and nursing attendants. Nursing students from an affiliated college have clinical duty on the ward three days a week. The staff nurses of the orthopedic ward and the nurses of the operating room, both under the same chief nurse, repeatedly blame each other at shared meetings when clients are sent late for scheduled surgery. Each group defends its own unit's routines. Which type of conflict is this?

> source: MyMerci (mymerci.kr)  
> url: https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=630554  
> language: ko  
> subject: Nursing Practice IV — Care of Clients with Problems in Nutrition and Gastrointestinal, Metabolism and Endocrine, Perception and Coordination

## 문제

Situation: A 36-bed orthopedic and ophthalmology ward of a public hospital is staffed by a charge nurse, staff nurses, and nursing attendants. Nursing students from an affiliated college have clinical duty on the ward three days a week.

The staff nurses of the orthopedic ward and the nurses of the operating room, both under the same chief nurse, repeatedly blame each other at shared meetings when clients are sent late for scheduled surgery. Each group defends its own unit's routines. Which type of conflict is this?

## 보기

1. Intergroup **✔ 정답**
2. Interpersonal
3. Organizational
4. Intragroup

**정답: 1**

## 해설

Intergroup conflict occurs between groups or units, such as two wards or departments competing over schedules or resources. Belonging to the same nursing service does not make it intragroup, because the disagreement is between two unit groups, each defending its own routines.

## 심화 해설

Two groups in conflict: intergroup
The staff nurses of the orthopedic ward and the nurses of the operating room repeatedly blame each other at shared meetings when clients are sent late for surgery, and each group defends its own unit's routines. The conflict is not between two individuals and not within one team; it is between two unit groups. Conflict between groups, units, or departments, such as two wards competing over schedules, resources, or procedures, is intergroup conflict. The fact that both units are under the same chief nurse does not change this. They belong to one nursing service, but the disagreement is between two distinct groups with their own goals and routines.

Levels of conflict
Conflict is classified by where it occurs. Identifying the parties is the key to naming the type.

| Type | Parties | Example |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Intrapersonal | Within one person | A nurse torn between two values |
| Interpersonal | Between two or more individuals | Two staff nurses disagreeing over a shift swap |
| Intragroup | Among members of one team | Staff of one ward disagreeing about break times |
| Intergroup | Between groups or units | Ward and operating room blaming each other |
| Organizational | Between staff and the organization's policies or structure | Nurses opposing a new hospital staffing policy |

Why the other types are wrong
Interpersonal conflict involves individuals; here whole groups blame each other. Intragroup conflict occurs among members of a single team; the ward nurses and operating room nurses are separate unit groups. Organizational conflict arises between staff and the organization's policies, structure, or goals; neither group is opposing a hospital policy. They are opposing each other.

Managing intergroup conflict
Intergroup conflict often grows from interdependence, unclear handoffs, and competing priorities. Useful strategies include focusing on a shared goal (clients reaching surgery on time), clarifying each unit's responsibilities, jointly mapping the process from ward to operating room, agreeing on handoff times and checklists, and using collaboration rather than blame. The chief nurse may bring representatives together to solve the problem jointly. Collaboration addresses the causes and produces a solution both groups support.

Exam takeaway
Key point Identify the parties. Two units or departments in conflict, even within the same nursing service, is intergroup conflict.

## 임상 시나리오

Intergroup Conflict Between UnitsWard and operating room
Conflict between two units or groups, such as the orthopedic ward and the operating room, is intergroup conflict, even under one chief nurse.

Interpersonal conflict is between individuals, intragroup is within one team, and organizational is between staff and policies or structure.

Manage it with a shared goal, clear handoffs, joint process review, and collaboration instead of blame.

CautionBelonging to the same nursing service does not make it intragroup. Name the type by the parties in conflict.

## 핵심 개념

- **Intergroup conflict** — Conflict between two or more groups, units, or departments.
- **Intragroup conflict** — Conflict among members of the same group or team.
- **Interpersonal conflict** — Conflict between two or more individuals.
- **Collaboration** — A conflict strategy in which parties work together to find a solution that meets both sides' needs.

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