What if you have gone to your manager time and again without results? You’ve had all the crucial conversations you can hold, and nothing ever changes.

Use the CPR formula to help you move deeper into the conversation:

• The first conversation should be about the (C) content or the issue.
• The next conversation should point to the (P) process or pattern you see.
• If you still have no results, the last conversation should focus on (R) the impact this pattern is having on the relationship.

As in every difficult situation, the person you need to turn to first is you. The key is to never let yourself feel helpless in a situation. There is always power-and you will find it in your response. It’s when we don’t do something about a situation that bothers us that we sell ourselves short.

Source: Stressed Out About Communication Skills, HCPro Inc., 2007. For more information on our series of Stressed Out books, visit www.stressedoutnurses.com