Assertiveness affecting burnout of novice nurses at university hospitals

Abstract

Aim: This prospective cohort study aimed to clarify the relationship between the level of assertiveness and the incidence of burnout in novice nurses in their first year at university hospitals and to obtain indices of assertion training in order for them to avoid burnout. Methods: The subjects were 1203 novice nurses working at 20 university hospitals in Japan who gave informed consent to participate in this research. The questionnaires were completed by 949 novice nurses in June 2003, and they were divided into two cohorts to observe the incidence of burnout, which was investigated in June 2004. Results: At the baseline, we obtained responses from 1030 novice nurses (85.6%) who had agreed to join the study. Ninety-two (20.5%) of the novice nurses experienced burnout and 43 (7.2%) experienced serious burnout. Both high and low levels of assertiveness score tended to high incidence rates of burnout. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that the factors affecting burnout were lack of senior nursing staff support and very low and low levels of assertiveness, and those affecting serious burnout were male gender, hospital location in Tokyo, and very low and low levels of assertiveness. Conclusions: Novice nurses tend to burn out easily when their assertiveness scores are too low or too high. The ideal value of the assertiveness score seems to be medium.

Is modified brief assertiveness training for nurses effective? A single-group study with long-term follow-up

“…Furthermore, the mean total RAS score improved from −14.2 to −8.9, which corresponds to meaningful improvement from outside the optimal range (<−10) to inside the optimal range (≥−10). According to a previous prospective cohort study (Suzuki et al., ), to avoid burnout, the ideal target value for RAS scores is thought to be in the range of −10 to 10 (optimal range).…”

“…Assertiveness is typically defined in terms of the honest and legitimate expression of one's personal opinions, needs, wants and feelings without denying or violating the rights of the others (Alberti & Emmons, ). Previous studies have indicated that poor assertiveness in nurses is related to reality shock, burnout, intention to leave and less commitment to work (Azuma & Suzuki, ; Itomine, Suzuki, Kanoya, & Sato, ; Suzuki, Kanoya, Katsuki, & Sato, ; Suzuki, Kanoya, Kitaoka‐Higashiguchi, & Sato, ; Suzuki et al., ). Assertive communication also enables nurses to build effective team relationships because collaboration with other health care professionals requires both a high level of assertiveness and cooperation (Boone, King, Gresham, Wahl, & Suh, ).…”

Burnout and Its Impact on Good Work in Nursing

“…Low levels of assertiveness are associated with high risk for burnout. However, Suzuki et al (2006) stress the need for effective and culturally sensitive assertiveness training as new nurses transition to professional practice.…”

“…Burnout and turnover intention may also be related to effective communication. Researchers have investigated the influence of assertiveness on burnout among new nurses (Suzuki, Kanoya, Katsuki, & Sato, 2006). According to Alberti and Emmons (as cited in Suzuki et al, 2006), assertiveness is perceived as the ability to express your rights and feelings while respecting the rights, feelings, and ideas of others.…”

Follow the leader

“…According to one researcher, female healthcare workers tend to report higher levels of burnout. 33 The study hypotheses for the demographic values were as follows: 33 Hypothesis 1 (H1) of this study investigated whether there's an association between gender and burnout.…”