Power And Politics

What is politics?  

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A neutral term Influencing allocation of scarce resources, events, decisions Relationships within an organization including norms, values & culture A process by which one influences the decisions of others and exerts control over situations and events (Mason, et. al.)

What is politics? -2  

Associated with conflicting values Necessary part of operating where multiple interest groups are competing for scarce resources of money, time, supplies, personnel or access to information.

Reasons why nurses should know political strategies * Influence the healthcare decisions/resources * Change the image of nursing * Replace distorted stereotypes, ie physician handmaiden, cheap labor, self-sacrificing angel of mercy, lewd sex object, vituperative harridan (abusive worn-out horse).(Buresh and Gordon) * Control the profession * Bills to address the nursing shortage * Mandatory Overtime

Political influence 

Allocation of scarce resources

- resources include money, time, personnel, and materials 

Interpersonal endeavor -involves skills of communication and persuasion

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Collective activity -requires the support and action of many people to bring effective politics to bear on a situation or issue.

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Analysis and planning -includes assessing the structure and functioning of the sphere in which one is operating

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Images

-Future ability to be politically effective may hinge

There is no political gain in silence and submission

Political action framework  

Politics in the workplace Politics in government Federal and state funding cuts  Political influence of nurses 

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Politics in financing Influences provision of patient care  Changes in managed care 

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Politics in the organization Organizational policy  Nursing organizations 

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Politics in the community

 Power  

and leadership

Principle-centered power Leadership power

Behaviors that activate principle-centered leadership     

Get to know people Know your values and vision Sharpen your IPR Competence Use power to enable others Enlarge the sphere of influence and connectedness

Image as power Individual nurses Nursing Profession “If the public or legislators see the profession of nursing as powerful, the profession's ability to achieve its goals and agendas is enhanced.”

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Promoting Good Image as an individual

Appropriate introduction of self Appropriate attire Convey positive and energetic attitude Speak and Act appropriately Use facts and figures to demonstrate your point Know when to be at the right place at the right time Develop powerful partnerships Make contact with “power brokers” Know who holds the power. Use power appropriately

What is power? - The capacity to act

and make choices and decisions - The capacity to create order and sustain influence

Power and professional influence Importance of power Connection or network power Informational power Power-grabbing Power plus vision

Increasing Power in Nursing 

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Unity - through dynamic professional organization Networking

Significance of Power in Nursing “To

advance to full professional status, nursing must concentrate on getting its unique expertise recognized and valued by society; by doing so, nursing can gain a monopoly over services in which nurses alone possess expertise. Gaining such recognition and control is one way of acquiring a strong power base.” …Patricia Schwirian

Power Orientation

Regardless of the source, one may see power in several ways:  Power is good  Power is resource-dependent  Power is an instinctive drive  Power is charisma  Power is political  Power is control and autonomy.

“The power base of people in combination with their power orientation allows prediction of how they will function and provides one with a model to identify one’s own capacity and style. It can also provide direction for what people expect before they will give power.”

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Application of power and politics to managing nursing care  

Politics of nursing care Improving nursing's power Seek opportunities  Increase knowledge  Use professional organizations to develop skills  Develop a systems perspective  Covey's power rules 

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Impact of power and politics on nursing's future

Why nurses should exercise their political power?  

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They have the number They have organizational structures in place Most nurses are informed, active, and dedicated people

Covey’s Power Rules 

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Never make a promise you cannot keep Make meaningful promises only to do better and better. Consider promises as a measure of your integrity and faith. Personal integrity is a basis for success with others.