The Effect of Communication Skills Training Program on Staff Nurses' Workplace Deviant Behavior

Abstract

<title>Abstract</title> Background Communication skills are of major importance in the nursing practice, with important positive impacts on patients’ outcomes and reduce workplace deviance behaviors. Aim This study aimed at assessing effect of communication skills training program on staff nurses' workplace deviant behavior. Methods The study was conducted at non critical units of Ain-Shams University Hospital using quasi-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design. The subjects of this study included all staff nurses who are working at the pre mentioned setting during the data collection period. The study sample was 130 staff nurses. The data were collected by using three tools namely; communication skills knowledge questionnaire, observational checklist and nursing workplace deviance behavior questionnaire. Results In comparison to the pre-intervention phase, the study showed a highly statistically significant improvement in staff nurses' overall knowledge of communication and workplace deviant behaviors in the post and follow-up phases (p &lt; 0.01). Additionally, compared to the pre-intervention period, there was a highly statistically significant improvement in the communication practices of staff nurses in the post and follow-up phases (p &lt; 0.01). Furthermore, compared to the pre-intervention period, there was a highly statistically significant decrease in the workplace deviant behavior of staff nurses in the post and follow-up phases (p &lt; 0.01). Conclusion Implementing a communication skills training program for staff nurses is effective to reduce their workplace deviant behavior. Based on the study findings, it was recommended to provide nurses with training programs focused on communication skills. Develop and communicate clear policies regarding acceptable behavior and workplace standards.