Is modified brief assertiveness training for nurses effective? A single-group study with long-term follow-up.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Behavioral Science
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Traditional assertiveness training is time-consuming, necessitating shorter programs for workplace implementation.
• Brief training interventions are crucial for widespread adoption in professional settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the sustained effectiveness of a modified, brief assertiveness training program incorporating cognitive strategies for nurses.
• To determine if short-term gains in assertiveness persist over a 6-month period.

Main Methods:

• A single-group study involving 33 nurses who underwent two 90-minute training sessions.
• Assertiveness was measured using the Rathus Assertiveness Schedule at baseline, post-training, and at 3- and 6-month follow-ups.

Main Results:

• Nurses showed a statistically significant improvement in Rathus Assertiveness Schedule scores post-training, which was maintained at 6 months.
• The pre-post effect size of 0.22 indicated a small but meaningful improvement, surpassing results from previous brief training studies.
• Improvements suggest the training's feasibility and positive long-term impact on nurse assertiveness.

Conclusions:

• Modified brief assertiveness training is a feasible intervention for enhancing nurse assertiveness.
• The training demonstrates potential for sustained positive outcomes, contributing to improved communication, job satisfaction, and patient safety.
• Easily implementable assertiveness training fosters an open communication environment, benefiting nurses and patient care.