Learning assertiveness skills is not difficult.

It does, however, take practice and constant attention -- especially if your communication habits are consistently passive, aggressive, or passive-aggressive. Assertiveness can be defined as interpersonal respect and empowerment (Kilkus, 1993). Assertiveness, in a sense, says, "I'm OK; you're OK." These communications are healthy and growth enhancing. Passive communications seem to say, "You're OK but I'm not," and aggressive behaviors indicate an, "I'm OK but you're not," attitude. Passive-aggressive is the most fun of all and usually can be summed up as, "You're OK; I'm not but I'll get even with you before it's all over!" Assertive nursing behaviors are an essential component of professional practice (Kilkus, 1993) but nurses have traditionally been considered nonassertive. No matter where RNs are employed, communication barriers and verbal hostility may surface due to the aggressor's displacement of frustration, burn out, and anger onto the passive recipient. Colleagues may not wish to be bothered at night or on weekends and thereby communicate this aggressively. It is true, though, that when decisions are made that greatly affect professional practice, assertive behaviors will help avoid more difficult situations later. Poor health care team relationships lead to dissatisfaction and high turnover rates. High turnover rates decrease productivity, cause disunity in the delivery of services, and greatly increase the expense of running a hospital. Patient care suffers.