How cross-cultural conflicts can impact the quality of nursing care in Ireland

Abstract

This study investigates the link between cross-cultural conflict and its effect on Ireland's quality of nursing care. While conflict is an inherent aspect of a nurse's everyday reality, insufficient research has been conducted to determine how nurses view cross-cultural conflicts and impact patient safety. According to the literature, conflict is caused mainly by differences in knowledge, experience, and culture. Additionally, research indicates that an unhealthy work atmosphere is closely related to unfavourable occurrences occurring in nursing care. This research aims to ascertain nurses' views of cross-cultural conflicts at work, the impact of these perceptions on the quality of nursing care delivered to patients, and the possibility of detecting possible hazards to patient safety. A mixed methodology survey was undertaken with 71 nurses working in Ireland to gather quantitative and qualitative data based on an interpretivism philosophy and an inductive approach. Considering this, half of the sample feels that cross-cultural disputes may impact nursing care quality. It was established that conflict is often considered an unavoidable part of the nursing work environment and, as such, poses a significant danger to patient safety. Nursing leadership and ongoing education on cross-cultural conflicts and how to manage them were critical in promoting effective conflict management to maintain and improve care quality.