Assertiveness, Important or not?

[RUNS10]

I'm a second year nursing student and was wondering if assertiveness is an important part of "your" nursing practice? And if so, how? This question is part of a presentation that I'm doing on assertive behavor.

[Medic/Nurse, BSN, RN]

Assertiveness?

My (and my partners) LIFE sometimes depends on it.

My patients LIFE often depends on it.

Important? You bet!

Practice SAFE!

[JuliaSN]

Please tell me how you are assertive when your super-assertive patient or family

*is constantly on the call light

*get me out of bed, get me into bed, get me out, up, over, in

*fix my sweater

*get me a blanket, juice, new slippers, fresh ice, bottled water (not on our floor), boxed lunch at 3am...

*you need to MOVE and your patient needs to talk about their medical history intertwined with non-pertinent information

*put my footrest up, put it down, put a blanket on it, put it up again...

I'm referring to persons much senior to one's self, and perhaps at times accustomed to life as a CEO of their electronics company, or as grown-up ownly child used to personal maid service at home.

What are your best assertive lines without seeming uncaring or unsympathetic?:confused:

I would love to give every patient million-dollar care and all of the time, attention and listening they wish, as we know tlc can help someone ill, but frankly, our hospital does not staff nurses in this manner, EVER.

[JuliaSN]

Please tell me how you are assertive when your super-assertive patient or family

*is constantly on the call light

*get me out of bed, get me into bed, get me out, up, over, in

*fix my sweater

*get me a blanket, juice, new slippers, fresh ice, bottled water (not on our floor), boxed lunch at 3am...

*you need to MOVE and your patient needs to talk about their medical history intertwined with non-pertinent information

*put my footrest up, put it down, put a blanket on it, put it up again...

I'm referring to persons much senior to one's self, and perhaps at times accustomed to life as a CEO of their electronics company, or as grown-up ownly child used to personal maid service at home.

What are your best assertive lines without seeming uncaring or unsympathetic?:confused:

I would love to give every patient million-dollar care and all of the time, attention and listening they wish, as we know tlc can help someone ill, but frankly, our hospital does not staff nurses in this manner, EVER.

I'm going to a new job next week. In my present job I have been a kind, hard-working 'doormat'. Any tips on becoming assertive with other staff and patients while not being offensive?