The Effect of Communication Skills Training on Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB) of Nurses

Introduction: The lack of communication skills among employees could result in less organizational citizenship behavior. Hence improving communication skills is of high necessity. The aim of this research is to determine the effect of communication skills training on the organizational citizenship behavior of nurses. Methods: In this quasi-experimental research, the statistical population included all the nurses employed by Isfahan’s Kashani hospital in 2009 (158 male and female nurses in 12 wards). By applying the random stratified sampling, 20 participants were assigned to the experimental group and another 20 to the control group. The experimental group received an 8-session training course on communication skills. To measure and evaluate the organizational citizenship behavior of each group before and after training, Organizational Citizenship Behavior Questionnaire was used (Cronbach’s Alpha=0.74). Analysis of the data was done using descriptive statistics (average and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (correlation coefficient and co-variance analysis). Results: After adjusting the effect of pre-test scores, the mean score for organizational citizenship behavior in the experimental group a month after the intervention (66.45±3.57) showed a statistically significant difference (p<0.01) compared to its previous value (62.85±4.34). According to ANCOVA, main effect of organizational citizenship behavior of nurses, before training was 0.364 whereas a month after the intervention, this increased to 0.607, (p<0.01). Conclusion: Communication skills training increased the nurses’ organizational citizenship behavior in the experiment group and the effect sustained a month after the intervention. Running standard communication skills training programs, with the help of specialized lecturers, is recommended in various nursing feilds such as education, research, management, and clinical nursing.