Abstract
An exploratory study was conducted to examine nurses' (n = 57) selection of strategies to confront conflict in theworkplace. Communication competence is the conceptual framework, defining competent conflict communication as jointproblem-solving communication that is both effective and appropriate. Items were drawn from tools assessing nurses' conflictmanagement strategies. Nurses reported a strong preference not to confront conflict directly; nurse managers were less likely to avoiddirect communication. Nurses who do choose to confront conflict are more likely to use constructive than destructive strategies. Theintegration of the social science of health communication into nursing education and practice and other implications are discussed.