Evaluating effect of assertive training program on assertiveness communication and Self-Concept of nurses

Assertiveness is an essential tool in communication between nurses and other members of the hospital staff as well as patients. According to studies, more assertive nurses have higher self-esteem and if they make a mistake, they have more courage in reporting the error and as a result, take timely action and prevent the repetition of similar mistakes.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an assertiveness training program on nurses' assertiveness and self-esteem.

This investigation was an experimental study, conducted on two equal groups with pre-test and post-test design. The study was performed on 70 nurses from different wards of Imam Reza Hospital in Mashhad, Iran. The assertiveness training program in the intervention group consisted of a workshop and a Intragroup session. All subjects in the two groups before, after, completed the Rathus assertiveness scale and Rosenberg self-esteem questionnaires. Data were statistically analyzed.

The intervention and control groups were similar in terms of demographic characteristics (p>0.05). Implementation of the assertiveness training program increased the level of assertiveness and self-esteem of nurses in the intervention group in all post-intervention measurements compared to before (p <0.01). However, the increase in assertiveness and self-esteem of nurses in the intervention group was not significant in any of the post-intervention episodes compared to the control group (p> 0.05).

Based on our findings, the implementation of an assertiveness training program leads to improving the assertiveness and self-esteem.Keywords: assertiveness, self-concept, nurse, Communicating assertively, self-confidence