Nurses in OR are more assertive than radiographers.
This study investigated two hypotheses: that there is a positive correlation between assertiveness and self-esteem, and that nurses rate lower than non-nurses on the constructs. A self-report survey incorporating scales for general assertiveness, situationally-specific assertiveness, global self-esteem and differentiated self-esteem was utilised. For the sample of 83 operating room nurses and 81 radiographers, correlations significant at the p < .001 level between the respective scales supported the first hypothesis. Analysis of variance yielded no significant differences between the two groups on either self-esteem measures or general assertiveness, with the nurses scoring significantly higher than radiographers on the situationally-specific assertiveness scale. Findings challenge the stereotype of the 'shrinking violet' nurse. Additional analysis revealed that the power component of differentiated self-esteem had a higher correlation with global self-esteem and with both assertiveness measures than any other component. Further, the operating room nurses were significantly more power-oriented than radiographers. The pre-eminence of power in the findings suggests that assertiveness and self-esteem are issues relating to the empowerment of nurses.
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D000488:Allied Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D001242:Assertiveness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D009871:Operating Room Nursing; D011209:Power, Psychological; D012649:Self Concept; D013679:Technology, Radiologic