Assertiveness training for VNs and lay staff?

RE: Assertiveness training for VNs and lay staff?

Alison Clare Hickman — Sat, 19 Aug 2017 18:22:22 GMT

Hey All,

Would you mind if I made a contribution please? Declaration: I am an RVN but have also formerly been a Bank Manager, amongst other managerial roles in my varied career.

In my experience it isn't so much 'assertiveness' that wins the day it is successful people management. Knowing the behaviour types - the good, the bad and the ugly - and dealing with those to create a harmony in the team is the best advice I ever received and put into good operation. So, some training in this?

Young or old - I was a branch Bank Manager at 26 and a (non-veterinary) Practice Manager at 54 - age immaterial - it's the mixture of, appropriate to need, sensitive/hard-ball juggling of my behaviour and those of my co-workers (all levels) that help(ed) me to do a grand job; moreover, to have a happy team. However, I didn't say it was an EASY job...

Hope that helps in some way and I trust I've not impinged inappropriately on a VS thread!

RE: Assertiveness training for VNs and lay staff?

Malcolm Ness — Sat, 19 Aug 2017 16:32:46 GMT

Many years ago, a group of us in the practice took an "Assertiveness Course". From the point of view of any or all of us, it was not the best use of time, effort or money. However, one benefit, and one that continues to deliver, is the ability to recognise the rhetoric and immediately spot anyone else who has been on such a course who is assertively putting their training into action when what they really should be doing is responding constructively to your complaint. Sorry, your "concern".

RE: Assertiveness training for VNs and lay staff?

Miriam Lodewyks — Sat, 19 Aug 2017 16:22:53 GMT

This is something I had been meaning to look into for myself!

Thanks to this post I've had a look about and booked myself onto the BVA's "How to be more resilient" CPD. It's not quite the same but I think it's close enough.

RE: Assertiveness training for VNs and lay staff?

Lindsey Edwards — Sat, 19 Aug 2017 11:05:36 GMT

Well said! As you say she got the job on merit and I see it a very positive sign that she has identified an area she can improve in and is proactively looking to do so. The case may be different if she was looking to lose the problematic member of staff or looking for a demotion to avoid the issue but from the OP this is far from the case. I would support her and make the team aware of her practice management CPD!

RE: Assertiveness training for VNs and lay staff?

Ashley Rubens — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 22:56:07 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]

Of course it may be wise to consider whether or not this person is the most suitable one for the job. Has she earned it by right or just evolved into the position by seniority of service and are there deeper underlying issues which mean that she doesn't have the respect of the rest of the team and may be better off out of the role? As Michael suggests, there may be someone more suitable even if they are younger.

In my practice the head nurse position is nominal only by virtue of age and seniority of service. A younger but much more dynamic and assertive but less experienced colleague would make a better head nurse and she knows it but it is a difficult one to juggle without causing resentment. That said we all work as a team and every member's opinion and judgment is as valid as the others and that includes me.

[/quote]

Just to clarify, and as I said above, I have no problem at all with her and think she does an excellent job which she got on merit.

It may be even wiser to consider that when someone asks for help or training with their job your first consideration should not be to replace them! (Maybe your third if there are genuinely problems and they can't be rectified)

RE: Assertiveness training for VNs and lay staff?

Martin Atkinson — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 09:04:39 GMT

RE: Assertiveness training for VNs and lay staff?

Michael Woodhouse — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 01:10:52 GMT

Do you want to borrow or SVN for a week? I'm pretty sure she's in charge most of the time, and she's the youngest member of the team!

I think the VDS does some training on this, I'm sure I saw a flier recently. Also look at some of the SPVS offerings. Agree send her on 'management CPD'. Big of her to ask for it, I think that is to be admired.

RE: Assertiveness training for VNs and lay staff?

Jill Butterworth — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 20:15:50 GMT

Maybe call it management training and send her on a day's CPD? Then it won't matter if anyone finds out, and may elevate her status a little because it is acknowledging she has a management role. She has to have the ear and respect of all the stakeholders: nurses/students/assistants/partners etc. it's quite a tough job to do well.

RE: Assertiveness training for VNs and lay staff?

Clare Tapsfield-Wright — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 20:14:08 GMT

I would invest in a one to one for her, and good for her coming and asking for the training

Has she broached this as a means of saying , help , I've got a difficult member of staff but I do not want to make it formal. She may be loathe to tell you the full story out of loyalty to her colleagues?

RE: Assertiveness training for VNs and lay staff?

Ashley Rubens — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 18:39:07 GMT

It's with the nursing team, so I completely agree.

RE: Assertiveness training for VNs and lay staff?

Nicola Cole — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 18:35:56 GMT

If it's assertiveness training to help her with her nursing team then definitely don't think the other nurses should know! If it's assertiveness with clients then no harm in other staff members knowing as they may also want to join in.

Sorry-i have no knowledge of courses etc