Copyright © 2006 Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved Chapter 17 Political Action in Nursing

Copyright © 2006 Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved What Are the Skills That Make Up a Nurse’s Political Savvy ? Ability to analyze an issue Ability to analyze an issue Ability to present a possible resolution in clear and concise terms Ability to present a possible resolution in clear and concise terms Ability to participate in a constructive way Ability to participate in a constructive way Ability to voice one's opinion (understand the system) Ability to voice one's opinion (understand the system) Ability to analyze and use power bases Ability to analyze and use power bases

Copyright © 2006 Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved What Is Power and Where Does It Come From? Law 1—Power invariably fills any vacuum Law 1—Power invariably fills any vacuum Law 2—Power is invariably personal Law 2—Power is invariably personal Law 3—Power is based on a system of ideas and philosophy Law 3—Power is based on a system of ideas and philosophy Law 4—Power is exercised through and depends on institutions Law 4—Power is exercised through and depends on institutions Law 5—Power is invariably confronted with and acts in the presence of a field of responsibility Law 5—Power is invariably confronted with and acts in the presence of a field of responsibility

Copyright © 2006 Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved Another Way to Look at Power and Where to Get It Reward power Reward power Coercive power Coercive power Legitimate power Legitimate power Referent or mentor power Referent or mentor power Expert or informational power Expert or informational power

Copyright © 2006 Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved Another Way to Look at Power and Where to Get It (cont’d) Reward power Reward power Strongest source of power Strongest source of power Best example—giving money Best example—giving money Also endorsements Also endorsements

Copyright © 2006 Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved Another Way to Look at Power and Where to Get It (cont’d) Coercive power Coercive power “Punish” decision maker for going against wishes of organization “Punish” decision maker for going against wishes of organization Remove person from office Remove person from office

Copyright © 2006 Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved Another Way to Look at Power and Where to Get It (cont’d) Legitimate power Legitimate power Influence that comes with role and position Influence that comes with role and position Derives from status Derives from status

Copyright © 2006 Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved Another Way to Look at Power and Where to Get It (cont’d) Referent or mentor power Referent or mentor power “Rubs off” of influential people “Rubs off” of influential people Encourages nurses to join coalitions Encourages nurses to join coalitions

Copyright © 2006 Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved Another Way to Look at Power and Where to Get It (cont’d) Expert or informational power Expert or informational power Weakest power base Weakest power base Nurses know about health and nursing care Nurses know about health and nursing care This is used most by nurses, but it is the weakest of the power bases This is used most by nurses, but it is the weakest of the power bases

Copyright © 2006 Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved Networking among Colleagues Successful networking Successful networking Consciously build and nurture a pool of associates whose skills and connections augment your own Consciously build and nurture a pool of associates whose skills and connections augment your own Build network over your career Build network over your career Reciprocate with your resources Reciprocate with your resources

Copyright © 2006 Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved Building Coalitions Coalition—group of individuals or organizations that share a common interest in a single issue Coalition—group of individuals or organizations that share a common interest in a single issue Selection of coalition partners should strengthen your cause or organization Selection of coalition partners should strengthen your cause or organization

Copyright © 2006 Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved What Is a Political Action Committee (PAC)? A mechanism whereby individuals can pool their resources and collectively support a candidate A mechanism whereby individuals can pool their resources and collectively support a candidate American Nurses Association’s (ANA) national PAC is called ANA-PAC American Nurses Association’s (ANA) national PAC is called ANA-PAC There are state-level PACs There are state-level PACs

Copyright © 2006 Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved Controversial Political Issues Affecting Nursing Proposed uniform core licensure requirements Proposed uniform core licensure requirements To assure health care consumers that they have access to nursing services provided by nurses meeting consistent standards, regardless of where the consumer lives To assure health care consumers that they have access to nursing services provided by nurses meeting consistent standards, regardless of where the consumer lives

Copyright © 2006 Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved Nursing and Collective Bargaining Point of debate among nurses Point of debate among nurses Pro—a tool to force positive changes in the practice setting Pro—a tool to force positive changes in the practice setting Con—written contract may restrict freedom, flexibility, and professional judgment of the RN Con—written contract may restrict freedom, flexibility, and professional judgment of the RN