Power Dynamics

Power Dynamics
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Power Dynamics
Power plays a critical role with regards to the accomplishments of duties, job satisfaction, and realization of professional goals. Power is necessary for a nurse to be efficient in her work, influence her fellow healthcare practitioners, and create impacts on the wellbeing of patients. Nonetheless, when misused, power may have adverse impacts on the ability of the nurse to discharge her duties. Accordingly, it is imperative that nurses utilize their power to inspire and create an ideal environment for patients and their colleagues.
The concept of power is the ability of a nurse to be able to influence an individual or a group so that they can acknowledge different ideas even to those against their will. Thus, according to Sepasi et al. (2016), a nurse who has the power is purposeful, professional in her duties, exhibits professional communication, empathizes with her patients and works under the shadow of human values and work ethics. The ability to influence others yet makes the best decisions for the wellbeing of all the stakeholders is evidence of being a powerful nurse.
The belief on influence described above has a significant impact on the views I hold as a nurse leader. Power exists in two main dimensions: “power to” and “power over” (Cruz et al., 2009). “Power to” refers to the ability to act according to healthcare ethics, principles, and values, efficacy to achieve goals and means used to sustain the goals.

“Power over” is the ability to influence an individual or a group of people. The latter, according to Cruz and his friends (2009), is associated with control, competitiveness, and authority. My perception of a person of power in nursing is that which exercises “power to.” Conveying an example that supports the principles of nursing is critical for the attainment of nursing objectives. It is also evidence of the image that I associate with the nursing career and its leadership. Accordingly, a nurse leader is one whose words, behaviors or reputation convey power. The power should be that, which inspires others to create the ideal nursing environment to attain healthcare objectives

References
Cruz. D., Pimenta. C., Pedrosa. M., Lima. A., Gaidzinski. R. (2009). Nurses’ Perception of Power Regarding Their Clinical Role. Rev. Latino-Am. Enfermagem Vol. 17 (2). Retrieved From: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0104-11692009000200015
Sepasi. R. R., Abbaszadeh. A., Borhjani. F., Rafiei. H. (2016). Nurses’ Perceptions of the Concept of Power in Nursing: A Qualitative Research. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, Vol. 10 (12). Retrieved From: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5296459/