Assertiveness and Self-Esteem among Nursing Students of Manipal College of Medical Science of Pokhara, Nepal

Abstract

Background: Assertive behaviour and low self-esteem have been found to major problem in the nursing profession. Nursing students today are the backbone of professional nurses of tomorrow. In order to ensure competent and safe practice, it is necessary for them to be individuals with high assertive skills and self-esteem. This study was conducted to identify assertiveness and self-esteem among nursing students.
 Methods: A descriptive cross sectional survey was conducted among 202 Proficiency Certificate Level and Bachelor of Science in nursing students of Manipal College of Medical Sciences (nursing programme), Pokhara, Nepal during July/August 2015. Data collection was done by purposive sampling. Tools used were demographic proforma, Begley and Glacken Assertiveness behavior questionnaire and Rosenberg self-esteem scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential sta­tistics chi-square and correlation coefficient.
 Results: The study revealed nursing students had moderate level of as­sertiveness and self-esteem. There is a significant association between assertiveness and level of study and residence. There is a significant as­sociation between level of self-esteem with level of study and residence and There is significant positive correlation (r= 412) among assertive­ness and self-esteem score with p value <0.001.
 Conclusion: It is concluded that majority of nursing students have mod­erate assertiveness and self–esteem. Nurse educators should take ini­tiation to improve high assertiveness and self-esteem of nursing stu­dents.

Assessing the relationship between ethical reasoning confidence and self-esteem among female nursing students for enhancing the quality of work life: A cross-sectional study

“…They may be able to perform tasks on par with the majority of people, possess a variety of positive traits and skills, have a high level of artistic skill perception, have a positive outlook on life, and believe they are at least on par with other people in terms of value. The results of the present study are in agreement with those of Shrestha (2019) [ 32 ] and Nandan (2021), [ 33 ] who found that the majority of nursing students exhibit moderate assertiveness and self-esteem.…”

Influence of self-esteem, psychological empowerment, and empowering leader behaviors on assertive behaviors of staff nurses

“…Studies among Japanese and Indian nurses found that nurses' self-esteem improved after assertiveness training (Kanade, 2018;Shimizu et al, 2004). Similarly, a significant positive correlation between assertive behavior and self-esteem was reported in a study conducted in India among nurses (Binuja, 2020;Maheshwari & Gill, 2015) and in Nepal among nursing students (Shrestha, 2019). This study proposes that efforts should be made to improve and to achieve healthy and balanced self-esteem among nurses to better communicate and assert themselves in the workplace.…”

“…Other scholars investigated the effectiveness of assertiveness training on nurses (Asi Karakas & Okanli, 2015 ; Kanade, 2018 ; Nakamura et al, 2017 ; Shimizu et al, 2004 ; Yoshinaga et al, 2018 ) and nursing students (Omura et al, 2019 ). Variables such as self-esteem (Binuja, 2020 ; Maheshwari & Gill, 2015 ; Shrestha, 2019 ) and psychological empowerment (Azizi et al, 2020 ; Bostanabad et al, 2018 ; Ibrahim, 2011 ) were found to be associated with assertiveness. However, for most studies, these variables were correlated with general assertiveness and not specifically with workplace assertiveness of nurses.…”

Assertiveness in the patients with thalassaemia major: A qualitative study

“…The results of several studies were in line with the results of our study. For example, in a study, there has been a positive relationship between assertiveness and self‐esteem and a strong and inverse relationship between assertiveness and anxiety of nursing and midwifery students (Shrestha, 2019 ). The inverse relationship between assertiveness and anxiety has also been reported among nutritionists (Paterson et al., 2002 ).…”