powerpolicy

Power and Politics: 

Power and Politics Virginia W. Adams, Ph.D., R.N. Dean UNCW School of Nursing Adamsv@uncw.edu

Objectives: 

Objectives Define politics, power and policy Discuss the different sources of power List reasons why nurses should know political strategies Describe ways to use power for professional purposes

Objective 1: 

Objective 1 Define politics, power and policy

What is politics$: 

What is politics$ Influencing allocation of scarce resources, events, decisions Relationships within an organization including norms, values & culture

What is power?: 

What is power? The capacity to act and make choices and decisions The capacity to create order and sustain influence

Slide6: 

Nurses have power and are powerful In the top two professions that the public trust most Nurses have a measurable service - Claire Jordan Texas Nurses Association

Slide7: 

Economy makes up who is powerful in the state. Women don’t like the rules of politics, have not historically been involved Politics is like football

What is policy?: 

What is policy? The principles that govern action directed toward given ends

Policy Process: 

Policy Process The course of bringing problems to government and obtaining a reply. The process includes agenda setting, design, government response, implementation, and evaluation.

Public Policy: 

Public Policy Actual directives that document government decisions; Also, the process of taking problems to government agents and obtaining a decision or reply in the form of a program, law, or regulation.

Nurses’ Role in Policy Development: 

Nurses’ Role in Policy Development Define a health problem for a government agency Brief an elected official about the health problem Vote in all elections

Relevant websites: 

Relevant websites House of Representatives www.house.gov Senate www.senate.gov North Carolina General Assembly http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/

US Senators: 

US Senators John Edwards Elizabeth Dole

Nurses’ Role in Policy Development : 

Nurses’ Role in Policy Development Vote in all elections Work in a campaign Talk to the media Serve as “Nurse of the Day” Work on Advisory and Policy-making Bodies

Relevant websites: 

Relevant websites American Nurses Association www.nursingworld.org North Carolina Nurses Association www.ncnurse.org North Carolina Center for Nursing www.nursenc.org North Carolina Board of Nursing www.ncbon.com

Objective 2: 

Objective 2 Discuss the different sources of power Legitimate Power Informal Power

Types of Power: 

Types of Power Coercive power Informational power Legitimate power Referent power Reward power Charismatic power Expert power

There is no political gain in silence and submission: 

There is no political gain in silence and submission

Objective 3: 

Objective 3 List 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

Objective 4: 

Objective 4 Describe ways to use power for professional purposes Speak up, out, often Movie-Men of Honor (court room scene) Expert power, connection power, reward, coercion

Informed and Committed Nurses : 

Informed and Committed Nurses Political Assessment Skills and Attitudes Policy Changes

Health Issues for the 2004 Election: 

Health Issues for the 2004 Election Health Coverage for the Uninsured Managed Care and Patients’ Rights Medicare Reform Prescription Drug Coverage for Seniors Long Term Care Nursing Shortage

Current health care issues: 

Current health care issues Patient Safety Nursing shortage Cultural Diversity

Summary: 

Summary Power is not a negative term. Power and politics are interdependent. There is no political gain in silence and submission. Types of power are not mutually exclusive.

Leadership: 

Leadership Nurses are usually lacking in risk-taking Choose a mentor Go for the win-win Have a poker face Guard your reputation Keep the spotlight Gain skills in negotiating conflict

Questions for Discussion: 

Questions for Discussion 1.Think about a powerful public figure whom you admire. What contributed to your perception of this person being powerful? 2. Think about a powerful nurse you have met. Identify key factors that made the nurse powerful.

Questions for Discussion: 

Questions for Discussion 3. Review the cartoon about the American Red Cross. Relate the cartoon to power and image of nursing. What letter would you write to the editor about the cartoon? 4. Describe two actions nurses can take in the workplace to ensure their voices on patient safety and work environment are heard.

References: 

References Buresh, B. & Gordon, S. (2001). From Silence to Voice: What Nurses Know and Must Communicate to the Public. Ottowa: Canadian Nurses Association. Carville, J. & Belaga, P. (2002). Buck up, Suck up and Come Back When You Foul Up. Gebbie, K. M., Wakefield, M., & Kerfoot, K. (2000). Nursing and health policy. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 32 (3), 307-315.

Power connects to politics and policy!!: 

Power connects to politics and policy!!