Who may benefit from nurses’ assertiveness?

Abstract

WHO MAY BENEFIT FROM NURSES’ ASSERTIVENESS?

Introduction. Assertiveness is usually associated with defending one’s viewpoints and refusing to do things that one does not want to do. There is a wrong perception of assertiveness since it is commonly associated with aggressiveness. If nurses perceive assertiveness in such a way, it may be an indication of some problems at work, violating patients’ rights or even burning oneself out.

Aim. Both the assessment of the level of assertiveness and the assessment of presented patterns of behaviour of nurses at work constitute the aim of this article.

Materials and methods. The group of 456 nurses constituted the research material. The research has been conducted using a diagnostic poll method. The research tools included: the Questionnaire of Assertive Behaviours formulated on the basis of the Assertiveness Map by M. Sobczak, the AVEM Questionnaire – Work-Related Behaviour and Experience Patterns formulated on the basis of the theory by Antonovsky and Becker and the questionnaire to examine the socio-demographic variables created by the author.

Results. The analysis of the results has shown that there is a link between the levels of assertiveness, the patterns of behaviour and work-related experience patterns. Those nurses who have a higher level of assertiveness presented a healthy pattern of behaviour at work more often and such experience patterns as aspirations do be perfect, the ability to distance themselves from their work, composure and calmness. The tendency to take someone’s territory is connected with a resigned type and the tendency to resign when some failure occurs.

Conclusions. Assertive patterns of behaviour were conducive to maintaining good interpersonal relationships both in reference to a team and a patient. Being assertive may protect against burning oneself out at work and it should be formed and strengthened by educating nurses both at the level of vocational and postgraduate courses.