Dealing with Difficult People

And how do I know I’m not the difficult person?

This session will equip nurses with practical strategies to manage challenging workplace interactions, improve communication, and maintain professionalism while protecting their well-being. It will explore the types of difficult behaviours commonly encountered in healthcare settings, from aggressive and passive-aggressive personalities to those resistant to change or prone to negativity. Understanding the root causes of these behaviours, including workplace stressors and personal insecurities, will provide insight into why conflicts arise.
CPD HOURS: 1
 Registration Year 2024-2025

Course Content

In any workplace, especially in high-stress environments like healthcare, navigating difficult interactions is an inevitable challenge. This session provides nurses with practical tools to handle workplace conflicts with professionalism and confidence. The presentation begins by exploring common difficult behaviours, such as aggression, passive-aggressiveness, resistance to change, and persistent negativity. By understanding the underlying causes —whether they stem from personal insecurities, workplace stress, or organizational culture — nurses can approach these interactions with greater awareness and empathy.

Effective communication is key to managing challenging encounters. This session introduces de-escalation techniques, assertive communication strategies, and approaches to conflict resolution that allow nurses to respond with clarity and composure. Participants will also learn the importance of setting boundaries to protect their well-being while maintaining professional integrity. Emotional intelligence and mindfulness will be discussed as essential tools in managing personal reactions and fostering resilience in difficult situations.

The session includes real-world scenarios and interactive discussions, giving nurses the opportunity to apply these strategies in a supportive environment. It will also cover when
and how to escalate workplace conflicts to leadership or HR when resolution is not possible at an individual level. By the end of the presentation, attendees will have practical strategies to navigate difficult workplace interactions more effectively, contributing to a more respectful and collaborative healthcare environment.

This presentation is an original work designed to provide practical guidance for nurses. All concepts and strategies are drawn from well-established professional communication and conflict resolution principles, ensuring that participants receive reliable and actionable information.

Why this session may be relevant to your work

This course will provide me the knowledge and skill to work as part of the health care team in a professional manner with all members of the team.

Learning Outcomes

In this session, you will:
  • Identify Challenging Behaviours: Participants will be able to recognize and categorize common types of difficult behaviours in the workplace, such as passive-aggressiveness, bullying, and excessive complaining. 
  • Understand Behavioural Impacts: Participants will gain insights into how difficult behaviours affect individual well-being and team dynamics, fostering awareness of the broader implications. 
  • Develop Conflict Management Skills: Participants will learn practical strategies to address and manage conflicts effectively, including using empathetic communication and setting boundaries. 
  • Enhance Self-Awareness: Participants will reflect on their own behaviours and identify areas for improvement to ensure they are contributing positively to workplace interactions. 

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SUES'S ONLINE COURSES

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Sue Walker

RN, BN, BN (ADMIN), MPHC, MACN

Sue is the director and co-founder of the Nurses for Nurses Network. Sue is a key contributor to the online education platform Nursing CPD – a Continuing Professional Development platform to assist Nurses in meeting their annual CPD requirements.

As a Registered Nurse, Sue holds Degrees in both Nursing and Health Administration, a Master’s Degree in Public Health, and more...