Power & politics

Power is the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behaviour of others or the course of events

1. POWER & POLITICS PRESENTED BY Sakuntala Giri Lecturer in MHN SUM Nursing College S’O’A UNIVERSIT Y

2. INTRODUCTION Power and politics influence nursing practice, education, and research, which in turn influence health care. Power gives one the potential to change the attitudes and behaviour of individual people and groups. Politics is the art of using power wisely.

3. POWER Definition : Power is the ability to influence others through the use of energy and strength. Power can also be defined as the capacity to act or the strength and potency to accomplish something.

4. Cont… Its original meaning is –“to be able to” Power is defined as “ the ability to employ force” -(Bierstadt) Power includes caring practices by nurses which are used to empower patients. – (Benner ,2001)

5. The Need for Power : To provide competent, humanistic, and affordable care to people. To participate in health care policy development. To ensure that nursing is an attractive career choice for all who want to provide care, influence, and improve nursing, health care and health policy.

6. Principles of Power : Power is dynamic and elusive and must be continuously replenished. Power can be obtained only through active means. A power obtained manager uses any means of control. Restraints is needed to use power appropriate .

7. Contd…………. Power relation in an organization are situational. All agency employee desire clear definition of power and control relationship among staff members.

8. Types of Power : Reward power C oercive power/punishment power Legitimate power Expert power Referent power Information power

9. Ways to Achieve Power Broad human networks Broad information networks Multiple formal and informal leadership roles. Ability to assess situations accurately and to solve problems. Authority over others and resources via legitimate work organizational roles. Vision for future and creativity .

10. Way to Increase Power Participate in interdisciplinary conferences to broaden knowledge, develop skills, and build networks. Keep knowledge and skills current to maintain and extend power. Earn higher degrees. Participate actively in professional associations. Participate in nursing research to develop knowledge and increase expertise.

11. Contd……… Problem solving with colleagues in nursing and other disciplines. Participate in nursing and interdisciplinary committees to develop expertise and network and to polish skills . Learn from mentors.

12. Empowerment Empowerment is a sense of having both the ability and the opportunity to act effectively. Empowerment Ladder: Self confidence. Ability to control life situations. Refuse to be a victim. Value self and others. Be a risk taker. Be creative. Resolve conflict. Show initiative. Become empowered.

13. The key factors contributing to one’s power image : Self-image . Grooming and dress. Good manners. Body-language. Speech. Belief in power as a positive force. Career commitment. Continuing professional education.

14. Tools for Improving Power Image: Communication Skills; - Networking. - Mentoring. - Goal setting. - Develop expertise . High Visibility.

15. Abuse of Power Abuse of power is the control of people by some kind of force. It is the use of power for one’s own benefit and can be present in families, organizations, and all levels of domestic and international government.

16. POLITICS It is a process through which one tries successfully or unsuccessfully to reach a goal . Political Nursing: Political nursing is defined is the use of knowledge about power processes and strategies to influence the nature and direction of health care and professional nursing. Anderson & Glanze . 1998

17. Political Analysis Effective use of power and politics to facilitate strategy development for the policy process requires systematic analysis of the issues.

18. Components of Political Analysis : Identify and analyse the problem Outline and analyse proposed solution. Understand the background, including its history and attempts to solve the problem. Locate the political situation and its structure. Evaluate the stakeholders. Conduct a values assessment Ascertain financial and personal needs to attain goals. Analyze power bases.

19. Political Strategies: Persistence Frame issue adequately Develop and use networks Assess time Collaborate Prepare to take risks Understand the opposition.

20. Political Tactics : The effective functioning of an organization depends on the relationship between individuals and groups. Effective use of politics in the workplace can facilitate achievement of goals.

21. Skills and Tactics in the Workplace Build your own team Establish alliances with superiors and peers. Use all possible channels of communication Do not be naïve about how decisions are made. Know priority Be courteous Maintain a flexible position and maneuverability Disclose information judiciously

22. Bibliography Climent I. Management of Nursing Services and Administration. 2 nd Edition. New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers; 2007. Pp - 169-178 . K. Deepak. A Comprehensive Textbook on Nursing Management. 1 st Edition. Bangalore: Emmess medical publishers; 2013. Pp - 451 – 461 . https://utilizationreviewinhospital.org https://patientsatisfactionsurvey.org