Powerpolicy

Dr. Adams/UNCWilmington Power&Politics 1

Power and Politics

Virginia W. Adams, Ph.D., R.N. Dean UNCW School of Nursing [email protected]

Dr. Adams/UNCWilmington Power&Politics2

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

� Define politics, power and policy


What is politics$

� Influencing allocation of scarce resources, events, decisions

� Relationships within an organization including norms, values & culture


What is power?

� The capacity to act and make choices and decisions

� The capacity to create order and sustain influence


� Nurses have power and are powerful � In the top two professions that the public

trust most � Nurses have a measurable service

- Claire JordanTexas Nurses Association


� 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?

� The principles that govern action directed toward given ends


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

� 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

� Define a health problem for a government agency

� Brief an elected official about the health problem

� Vote in all elections


Relevant websites

House of Representatives www.house.gov

Senate www.senate.gov

North Carolina General Assembly http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/

http://www.house.gov/

http://www.house.gov/

http://www.senate.gov/

http://www.senate.gov/

http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/






US Senators

� John Edwards� Elizabeth Dole


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

� 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

http://www.nursingworld.org/



http://www.ncnurse.org/



http://www.nursenc.org/



http://www.ncbon.com/




Objective 2

� Discuss the different sources of power � Legitimate Power� Informal 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


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

� 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

� Political Assessment� Skills and Attitudes � Policy Changes


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

� Patient Safety � Nursing shortage � Cultural Diversity


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

� 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 Discussion1.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 Discussion3. 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

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!!

Education

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