Development and evaluation of a modified brief assertiveness training for nurses in the workplace: a single-group...

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Communication Skills Training
• Workplace Interventions

Background:

• Effective communication is crucial for nurses, impacting job satisfaction, teamwork, and patient safety.
• Existing assertiveness training programs are often lengthy, necessitating shorter, workplace-friendly alternatives.
• Brief assertiveness training can enhance nurses' communication skills and professional outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and assess the feasibility of a modified, brief assertiveness training program for nurses.
• To evaluate the program's impact on nurses' assertiveness using cognitive techniques.
• To provide a practical, time-efficient training solution for healthcare settings.

Main Methods:

• A single-group, open trial design with pre- and post-intervention assessments.
• 22 registered and assistant nurses participated in two 90-minute sessions.
• The Rathus Assertiveness Schedule (RAS) was the primary outcome measure, supplemented by fear of negative evaluation and job stress questionnaires.

Main Results:

• A statistically significant improvement in mean total scores on the Rathus Assertiveness Schedule (RAS) was observed (p=0.01).
• The intervention yielded a small effect size (Cohen's d=0.24) for assertiveness.
• No significant changes were found in fear of negative evaluation or job stress measures.

Conclusions:

• The modified brief assertiveness training program is feasible for nurses.
• The program demonstrated a potential to improve nurses' assertiveness.
• Further controlled trials with extended follow-up are recommended to confirm efficacy.