Healthcare quality and healthy workplace cultures require speaking up!  Reporting a patient’s status, accounting for a mistake, and setting limits are all examples of assertive actions. 

Developing your assertiveness can bring both professional and personal rewards.  It is not easy for some of us, myself included, as it requires new ways of thinking, communicating and taking risks.

Here is a tool you can use to increase your knowledge about what assertiveness looks like including some questions which will help you plan your strategy.  Feel free to print it out and pass it around!

1.  Review the following list that describes people who are assertive. 

•Are aware when their rights, feelings or opinions are being compromised.

•Respect the views of others, even when disagreeing.

•Express feelings and emotions with ease.

•Avoid raising their voice and/or using disrespectful language with others.

•Say 'no' when they need to.

•Feel happy to participate in group situations.

•Take responsibility for their thoughts and actions.

•Ask for what they need. 

•Use compromise and collaboration to settle conflict.

2. Circle any areas where you feel confident in your assertiveness.  

3.  Choose one area that you have circled and jot down your thoughts on how it contributes to the quality of care you provide and your workplace environment.

4. Put a check next to any areas where you feel you need to develop your assertiveness.  

5. Jot down your thoughts on how developing this ability might contribute to the quality of care you provide and your workplace environment.

6. Choose one area that you have checked and write down one step you could take to develop this ability. 

7.  This kind of work is really hard.  How can you reward yourself  for every effort you take?

Good luck and let me know what you think of this article,

Beth

Beth Boynton, RN, MS, is an organizational development consultant and author of Confident Voices:  The Nurses’ Guide to Improving Communication & Creating Positive Workplaces. (Special book offer:  SAVE  20% NOW  at Beth's EStore  Use coupon code:  D359FSBP)

She is an adjunct faculty member with New England College and publishes the free e-newsletter:  Confident Voices for Nurses.  She has published numerous articles, offers a variety of workshops,  and can be reached at bbbboynton@earthlink.net or 207-752-0826.  Or visit www.bethboynton.com