Learning About Conflict and Conflict Management Through Drama in Nursing Education

Background: In the health care settings in which nurses work, involvement in some form of conflict is inevitable. The ability to manage conflicts is therefore necessary for nursing students to learn during their education. Method: A qualitative analysis of 43 written group assignments was undertaken using a content analysis approach. Results: Three main categories emerged in the analysis-to approach and integrate with the theoretical content, to step back and get an overview, and to concretize and practicetogether with the overall theme, to learn by oscillating between closeness and distance. Conclusion: Learning about conflict and conflict management through drama enables nursing students to form new knowledge by oscillating between closeness and distance, to engage in both the fictional world and the real world at the same time. This helps students to form a personal understanding of theoretical concepts and a readiness about how to manage future conflicts.