Chapter 7, Sullivan, Effective Leadership and Management

The female nurse identifies that many of the power positions in her organization are held by male nurses. Which strategies should she use to improve her images and increase her power?

1. Identify what she really wants 2. Prioritize her needs in order of importance 3. Identify her current resources. 4. Determine who stands in the way of what she wants.

Which statement indicates that a nurse has the skills to be politically involved.

1. Knowing about what is going on in the organization. 2. Nurses has a way of dealing with difficult people and situations. 3. Seeking out this nurse's ideas on how unit problems should be solved 4. The nurse has a sixth sense about when to present new ideas.

Which strategy could be used by nurses to promote nursing's power image?

1. Maintaining expertise by attending continuing education events. 2. Encouraging all disciplines to work toward organizational goals 3. Attend local events with influential people 4. Asking questions about reasons behind processes and policies.

A staff nurse says, "I have so much to do. Why should I spend time being politically aware and active?" Which response by the nurse manager would be most appropriate?

Being politically active helps you influence events and the decisions of others. Rationales: Nurses can influence those in the decision making roles.

One of the nurses often fails to attend educational offerings available to the staff. The nurse manager who implies the nurse may receive a negative evaluation is using which type of power?

Coercive Rationale: Coercive power is based on penalties a manager might impose on an employee. A negative evaluation is a penalty.

The nurse cared for Senator Bill Smith while he was hospitalized last year. The nurse now wishes to send him a letter supporting a bill that will be voted on in the current legislative session. Which salutation should the nurse use in the letter?

Dear Senator: Rationale 1: The nurse should use a professional manner in the letter.

Which strategy is best for the newly licensed nurse who wishes to develop power in the organization?

Develop a "can do" attitude and reputation. Rationale 1: To become powerful in the organization, the newly licensed nurse should develop an image of power. This includes building a "can do" reputation.

The nurse manager realizes that power must be used to influence a change that is needed on the unit. What should this nurse remember when exerting this power?

The best strategy is to undertake all power interactions in a polite manner. Rationale 4: Being polite is an essential part of using power effectively.

A nursing leader wishes to maintain an image of power on a multidisciplinary committee. In a meeting, a committee member makes a statement that the nurse believes is in error. How should the nurse respond?

"What evidence supports that statement as accurate?" Rationale 3: The nurse should not take the statement at face value, but should ask for evidence that it is correct.

How can a nurse best influence policies in an organization?

Follow the nursing process. Rationale 1: Close examination of the political process shows that it closely follows the nursing process. The nurse will assess the situation, create a plan of action, implement that plan, and evaluate and revise the plan.

The nurse educator has recruited nursing preceptors to work with senior nursing students. The educator is teaching the preceptors about power and the education process. Which statement by a preceptor indicates learning has been effective?

I can use power to teach the student how to motivate, communicate, and achieve outcomes. Rationale: Nurses must use power to influence others.

The nurse has established a reputation for advocating for clients through honesty and hard work. The nurse has worked in the organization for 30 years and often volunteers in local and national political campaigns. This nurse is using which attribute to increase political effectiveness?

Image Rationale: A person who portrays an image of success and trust will be politically effective.

The local hospital has recently been acquired by a larger hospital corporation. The nurse manager encourages staff to attend the next unit meeting by hanging a poster announcing that the new wage scale and benefits package will be discussed. This is an example of which type of power?

Information power Rationale: The nurse manager has info the employees desire. The only way to gain the information is through the manager, so the manager has information power.

The nurse manager has decided that the only way to deal with an issue is to use coercive power. What strategy is important for this nurse manager to employ?

Investigate to get the facts of potential infractions before responding to them. Rationale: The manager should always investigate to get facts to avoid jumping to conclusions.

A nurse is overheard saying, "I just don't want to be involved in this power struggle. I don't want power; I just want to do my job." What is a common reason nurses may feel power is not desirable?

Many nurses view power as oppressive. Rationale 2: The idea of having power "over" someone or "power-grabbing" is oppressive. Many nurses hold this view of power.

A home health agency has a policy requiring nurses to make routine visits at night. How might politics be used to change this policy?

Obtain research material to provide reasons why routine nursing visits at night are not as effective as during the day.

There is a shortage of nurses on weekends. The unit manager asks nurses to work every other weekend in return for an additional 8 hours of paid vacation per month. Which type of power is this manager using?

Reward power Rationale: Reward power is based on the inducements a manager can offer a staff. In this case the manager can offer increased benefits.

Why would the strategic planning committee choose shared visioning as a strategy for change?

Shared visioning makes change easier. Rationale 1: If leaders and followers share in a vision for the future, it is easier for changes to be made.

Which statement reflects the most important use of power in nursing?

The nurse can use power to impact and improve client care. Rationale: The most important use of power is to impact the quality of client care.

Which action is most likely to undermine the political power of a nursing department?

The nurse executive does more talking than listening in meetings. Rationale 4: Talking more than listening can undermine credibility in the politics of the organization.

Which event would likely improve a nurse's position power within an organization?

The nurse is promoted to nurse manager. Rationale 1: Position power is determined by job description, assigned responsibilities, recognition, advancement, and authority. Being promoted to nurse manager increases position power.

As part of a shared visioning initiative, a new medication administration system has been adopted. A staff nurse has been chosen to relay the unit's dislike of the system to the evaluation committee. Which would be the most effective method to communicate the unit's disapproval?

There has been a 40 percent increase in medication errors on 3M since the new system began. We believe there is a problem. Rationale: Preparing data focuses on why there is need for action to address a problem.

The nurse is working on a committee charged with the responsibility for making policy decisions for the health care organization. During the work, the nurse has developed a strong belief that the focus of the committee is incorrect. Which statement by the nurse would be most appropriate?

We are a good team, but we need to look at this problem from a different viewpoint. Rationale: When offering criticism, one should always begin the conversation with a compliment.

Which statements reveal that the nurse being described has real power?

1. "I have such respect for her and the work she does." 2. "It is an honor to work with her." 3. "She had an opportunity to go to another hospital, but she chose to stay here and help us through accreditation."

Which action would help the nurse work with public officials to influence policies?

1. Address only one issue in each correspondence. 2. Always make an appointment before visiting an elected official.

Leaders and managers often exercise power differently. Select the powers most frequently used by leaders.

1. Information power 2. Expert power 3. Referent power

As part of a career advancement strategy, the nurse has identified a need to increase personal power in the organization. Which abilities should the nurse focus on improving?

1. Technical competence and knowledge 2. Ability to access data 3. Relationships with people who are influential in the organization 4. Being friendly, helpful, and likable

The nurse leader wishes to develop a culture of shared visioning for the health care organization. How should the nurse proceed with this plan?

1. The leader should survey employees regarding what is important to them for the organization's future. 2. The leader should encourage innovative ideas.

Which actions diminish the image of power for nurses?

1. addressing colleagues in endearing terms. 2. using power plays to achieve goals 3. aggressively advocating for clients 4. accepting orders without question.

Which would be the most effective way for nursing to improve the power of its images?

A powerful image would best be created by nurses dressing, acting and speaking in a professional manner.