Power and Politics in Nursing

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Questions and Answers

Which type of power relies on the inducements a manager can offer for cooperation?

Reward power (correct)

Expert power

Coercive power

Connection power

What motivates employees when a manager uses coercive power?

Admiration for the manager

Fear of punishment (correct)

Desire for rewards

Value of information

Which power is derived from a manager's accepted authority within an organizational hierarchy?

Legitimate power (correct)

Information power

Referent power

Expert power

What type of power comes from a manager possessing unique skills and knowledge?

Expert power Signup and view all the answers

Which type of power relies heavily on a manager's likeability and the respect they command?

Referent power Signup and view all the answers

Information power is primarily influenced by which of the following?

Access to data Signup and view all the answers

Connection power is best exemplified by what characteristic?

Links to influential individuals Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason followers comply with legitimate power?

Acceptance of authority Signup and view all the answers

What is principle-centered power primarily based on?

Honor, respect, loyalty, and commitment Signup and view all the answers

Which type of power involves one party having more control than another?

Asymmetrical power Signup and view all the answers

How can nurses effectively acquire and use power according to the provided information?

By understanding the sources and types of power Signup and view all the answers

What behavior is essential for activating principle-centered leadership?

Keeping others informed and being open Signup and view all the answers

To enhance their leadership power, nurses should focus on?

Encouraging dissenting voices and respecting disagreements Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the concept of power sharing?

It evolves when power is based on shared values and principles Signup and view all the answers

What is one way to establish yourself as a powerful person in a professional setting?

Shake hands and make eye contact Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, how should leaders aim to connect with their team?

By understanding and knowing the wants of individuals Signup and view all the answers

How can attire contribute to an image of power?

The presentation of the uniform holds key significance Signup and view all the answers

Sharpening interpersonal competence is important for leaders because it enables them to?

Actively listen and express ideas clearly Signup and view all the answers

Why is conveying a positive attitude important for establishing power?

It sends the message that you are proactive Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a recommended practice for powerful communication?

Maintaining inconsistent body language Signup and view all the answers

What role do facts and figures play in demonstrating power?

They support and strengthen your arguments Signup and view all the answers

How can one gain access to influential people within an organization?

Being present at events not intended for nurses Signup and view all the answers

What is a key strategy when working collaboratively with others?

Use 'we' instead of 'they' when addressing issues Signup and view all the answers

What is essential to remember when dealing with facts in discussions?

Facts can be manipulated to serve agendas Signup and view all the answers

What should individuals strive to do in their sphere of influence?

Become familiar with key individuals Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to know who holds power within an organization?

To garner support for future endeavors Signup and view all the answers

What should be considered when exchanging information with powerful individuals?

Timing, quantity, and the parties involved Signup and view all the answers

How should power be used in an organization?

To achieve consensus and common goals Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary goal of nursing from a marketing perspective?

To clarify nursing's role and abilities Signup and view all the answers

What does quality nursing care signify in healthcare organizations?

An indicator of overall organizational quality Signup and view all the answers

How can nurses effectively tie their work to healthcare goals?

By aligning their care with wellness promotion Signup and view all the answers

What is one effect of using power appropriately within a professional context?

It can positively influence relationships Signup and view all the answers

What is essential when using power to accomplish goals in nursing?

Utilizing the least amount of power necessary Signup and view all the answers

How is shared visioning different from shared governance?

Shared visioning sets the stage for shared governance. Signup and view all the answers

What is one benefit of having a shared vision in an organization?

It inspires and challenges leaders and followers. Signup and view all the answers

What purpose does a shared vision serve in an organization?

It drives the organization’s future and determines goals. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of effective shared visioning?

It involves collaboration between leaders and followers. Signup and view all the answers

What effect does shared visioning have on project evaluation?

It provides benchmarks for future projects. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between a shared vision and organizational goals?

A shared vision aligns efforts towards achieving organizational goals. Signup and view all the answers

Why do nurse managers often underestimate their power?

They may not realize the impact of their actions. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary resource for nurses to influence public policies?

Establishing influence in the workplace Signup and view all the answers

Which is NOT a recommended strategy for working with public officials?

Being confrontational Signup and view all the answers

What is essential for nurses to effectively influence others?

Acquiring accurate information Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an approach nurses should adopt when engaging with public officials?

Practicing patience Signup and view all the answers

What strategy should nurses avoid when trying to convert policy ideas into political realities?

Exercising coercion Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best reflects an effective approach to influence public policy?

Maintaining a long-term perspective Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic is vital for nurses to adopt in times of change?

Compassion over confrontation Signup and view all the answers

Which action is NOT recommended for developing influence with public officials?

Arriving uninformed to meetings Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Understanding Power and Politics

Power is the potential ability to influence others.
Power is involved in all human interactions, whether recognized or not.
Power can be symmetrical (equal) or asymmetrical (unequal).
Power can be exclusive to one party or shared among multiple people or groups.
To use power effectively, nurses need to understand sources and types of power.
Power is used to influence and transform patient care.

Introduction

Real power (principle-centered power) is based on honor, respect, loyalty, and commitment.
This model aligns with nursing values.
Conceived by Stephen Covey (1991), it's increasingly used by leaders across fields.
Power sharing naturally occurs when power is centered on values and principles.

Power and Leadership

Principle-centered power is based on honor, respect, loyalty, and commitment.
Nurse leaders use this power by:
- Understanding what others want.
- Being open and keeping others informed (trust, honor, respect).
- Knowing and defining their values and visions.
- Improving interpersonal competence (active listening, clear communication).
- Enabling others by being attentive to power dynamics and encouraging dissent.
- Expanding influence and connectedness.

Power: Managers and Leaders

Traditionally, managers used authority to motivate.
Today's healthcare managers use persuasion, encouragement, and inspiration.
A leader's power alters attitudes and behaviors by addressing individual needs and motivations.
There are seven types of interpersonal power used in organizations to influence others.

Power (Types)

Reward power: Influence through incentives.
Coercive power: Influence through penalties.
Legitimate power: Influence due to rank or position.
Expert power: Influence due to knowledge or skills.
Referent power: Influence due to admiration or identification with a leader.
Information power: Influence due to valued information or access.
Connection power: Influence due to connections with influential people or organizations.

Power: Positional and Personal

Position power is derived from the job description, responsibilities, recognition, authority.
Personal power is based on traits like credibility, experience, expertise, and relationship building.

Using Power Despite

Despite pride and self-esteem, some nurses find power unattractive.
Nurses often prefer power sharing and empowerment ("with" rather than "over").

Image as Power

Image of power is important for nurses and their profession.
Nurses should project competence and compassion to create a positive image.
Nurses can promote power images through appropriate introduction, attire, communication, and nonverbal cues.
Using facts, figures, and data effectively.

Shared Visioning

Shared visioning is an interactive process involving leaders and followers to create a collective goal.
This process creates a shared future for the organization.
Shared visioning facilitates the ability to achieve tough goals.
Understanding what the current goals should be.
Understanding what to accept or reject.
The power of the knowledge base

Power, Politics, and Policy

Power is the potential ability to influence others.
Politics is the art of influencing others to achieve a goal.
Politics is an interpersonal and collective endeavor.
Politics requires analysis, planning, and communication.

Nursing's Political History

Nurses' political activism started with Florence Nightingale and continues evolving.
Influenced by nursing schools, women's suffrage, and the feminist movement.

Using Political Skills

Political skill is vital for nurses to influence policies effectively.
Key elements of political skill include self-promotion, honesty, positive communication, self-awareness, and building relationships.

Influencing Public Policies

Nurses can influence public policies by understanding the policy-making process and building connections with policymakers.
Successful policy influence requires respect, relationship-building, information, understanding of issues, and strategic thinking.

How Nurses Can Influence the Future

Nurses can use persuasion over coercion, patience over impatience, open-mindedness, compassion over confrontation, and integrity over dishonesty.
These strategies help shape the course of healthcare.

What You Know Now

Summary of key concepts and ideas from previous sections.

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Description

Explore the concepts of power and politics within the nursing profession. This quiz delves into the dynamics of power as influenced by principles like honor and respect, and how these elements play a role in effective leadership and patient care. Gain insights into the types and sources of power relevant for nurses today.