Background: Conflict is an inevitable phenomenon in hospital settings due to the complexity of healthcare services, high workloads, and interprofessional interactions. Effective conflict management strategies are essential to maintain a positive work environment, improve nursing performance, and ensure quality patient care.
Aims: This study aimed to identify and analyze conflict management strategies used by nurses in hospital settings based on current scientific evidence.
Methods: A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Literature was searched through Dimensions AI, PubMed, and Google Scholar for articles published between 2020 and 2026. After the screening and eligibility process, 19 original research articles were included and analyzed using descriptive synthesis.
Result: The review found that collaborating was the most frequently applied conflict management strategy, followed by compromising, accommodating, avoiding, and competing. Strategy selection was influenced by emotional intelligence, ethical leadership, communication skills, moral competence, work experience, and organizational culture. Collaborative strategies were consistently associated with improved teamwork, conflict resolution, and nursing performance.
Conclusion: Collaborative conflict management is the predominant strategy used by nurses in hospitals. Strengthening communication, leadership, and interpersonal competencies can enhance nurses' ability to manage workplace conflicts effectively and improve the quality of nursing care.