Advice on how to be more assertive

I would consider also posting this under psych nursing as they have to deal with setting boundaries and being firm as well. Just to get more responses. Good luck! Disclaimer: I am only a new grad and not working in corrections, but I have a history of dealing with aggressive, manipulative patients. You have to be consistent. Don't do favors or show favorites. Other inmates may see this and zero in on you being easy and easily manipulated. I also wouldn't chit chat like we do in normal bedside nursing. This can be misperceived by inmates. Ask questions firmly and to the point. Give directions in a firm voice. Don't ask. Tell. You know how in bedside we may say something in a sweet, caring voice like "OK, we're going to remove your gown so we can place these electrodes to do and EKG, OK?" In corrections, what I'm learning from others on this site is to take charge, so instead, demand matter of factly "take your shirt off so I can place these electrodes on your chest." On one of the posts here, someone used this as an example of an assessment technique for an inmate c/o chest pain which I thought was really smart. If they can take off their own shirt, lifting their arm (especially left, of course,) then that is an assessment. A little off topic but I thought it was great advice