assertiveness??

ShockerGirl07 · Dec 19, 2006

How does she want you to be more assertive? In clinical? If it's in clinical, if you don't have anything to do, offer a classmate assistance if they need it. I know on our unit, if one of us didn't have anything to do, we would go around and see how everyone was doing (we had 10 on a floor) and there was usually always someone who needed help with a transfer, or care plan, etc. If you are doing something with a patient, like hanging a new IV bag, etc, do you watch someone else like the nurse or teacher do it? Make sure you take the bag and hang it, etc. If its in class, maybe speak up more when she asks a question, or seek clarification if something doesnt make sense. Good luck!

Most of all, have confidence!!!

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Dec 20, 2006

as part of the requirements for my bsn some years ago, we had to take a communications 101 class. we were taught the principles of assertiveness and had weekly labs where we practiced learning these skills. you might check to see if your college has something similar. it may be listed under communications, english, speech or journalism and may be titled as interpersonal communications.

assertiveness is something that you have to practice. like anything else you are learning in nursing, it is a skill. your first attempts at it are usually wobbily. but you improve with time. this is not something that you learn merely by reading about it. it has to be practiced. and, it takes time to master.

http://changingminds.org/techniques/assertiveness/assertiveness.htm - assertiveness

http://www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/toolbox/fmi/content/tutorial/assert/assert00.htm - this is a really nice online sssertiveness tutorial from australia. click on the links to proceed through the tutorial. includes sound clips of examples.

http://www.gp-training.net/training/leadership/assertiveness/index.htm - assertiveness for doctors. an interesting site that links you into information about being assertive. includes a list of books with information on assertiveness.

rn/writer, RN · Dec 20, 2006

As usual, Daytonite has offered some wonderful resources.

In addition, sometimes people use the word assertive to mean active. Monitor your approach with staff and patients. Do you step in and do what needs to be done or do you hang back and look for someone else's lead to follow?

With patients, do you project confidence and offer direction, or do you come into the room like you're sorry for bothering them and hope they won't take your head off.

Yes, you're a student and the very nature of that role includes a certain hesitancy. But you should also be developing your communication skills to include a positive attitude that says you will find answers to the things you do not know.

Let us know how you progress.

luv4nursing · Dec 20, 2006

I have always had a problem with assertiveness and now it is more important than ever to work on it. I tend to avoid confrontation, so I have problems speaking up for myself. For example, if Im being bullied by a coworker, I would have trouble confronting them. I always think of what I "should have" said to someone about something. I also tend to lack confidence and be unsure of myself at times.

Thanks for the resources Daytonite, you are always so helpful!

S.T.A.C.E.Y, LPN · Dec 22, 2006

Be more assertive? Thats an obscure request without any specific examples to guide you towards what she's looking for. I'd ask to sit down with her, and ask her to give you situations she has felt you are lacking, and examples of how she feels you could have been more assertive.

JuliaSN · Aug 5, 2008

Any suggestions for when patients WILL NOT get off the telephone and will not listen to you while on the phone. I have 'assessed patients completely while on the telephone and I am not pleased with the situation. (After checking back every 15 minutes for 3 * to see if they were yet off). What is the proper, assertive nurse thing to do?

jedimasterr · Aug 22, 2008

I try to be direct with them and politely ask them to set the phone aside for just a minute while I finish my assessment. Aside from listening to lung sounds, there isn't much I need to do assessment wise that requires them to stop talking. It seems a bit rude of them to not stop talking for just a minute, but that's the way some people are. Given that I work in the ICU, seeing a patient continue to carry on a conversation while I am assessing them is a crucial assessment piece by itself in that if they can carry on that well, they likely don't need to be in the ICU :clown:

For people that just won't stop talking, I think bringing in a thermometer works best! Then you have at least a few seconds to tell them to stop talking while you complete the assessment.