Chap 17
A nurse has just moved to a new state and wants to know the names of the state senator(s), state representative(s), federal senator(s), and federal representative(s). How can the nurse find this information? (Select All that Apply) a. Call the Democratic Party headquarters. b. Call the Republican Party headquarters. c. Call the public library. d. Call the local newspaper. e. Call Congress.
A, B, C (The best action would be for the nurse to call the county Democratic or Republican Party headquarters or the public library. Calling the newspaper or Congress would not help the nurse find the information needed.)
What actions can nurses take that would demonstrate the skills necessary to move a vision? (Select all that apply.) a. Elect decision makers. b. Refrain from political involvement. c. Testify before legislative committee hearings. d. Compromise. e. Become elected officials.
A, C, D, E (Leavitt and colleagues (2005) stated that the future of nursing health care depends on nurse's skills in moving a vision. The skills involve electing decision makers, testifying before legislative committee hearings, compromising, and becoming elected officials. These actions will help nurses protect the future of nursing and health care.)
Identify the type of power base associated with each of the following. coercive (punishment) a. Joining a coalition to lobby for a national health insurance plan b. Organizing nurses to work for the opponent in the next election c. The dean of the school discussing the educational program d. Testifying before a committee on a bill e. A political action committee's endorsement or financial contribution
B
How does the Political Action Committee support candidates? a. "Buys" a candidate b. Lobby's elected officials c. Evaluates candidates on nursing and health concerns only d. Does not endorse candidates for public office
C (The Political Action Committee supports candidates by endorsing them for public office, providing them with financial supported need to win elections, and evaluating candidates on nursing and health concerns only. Political action committees do not "buy" candidates or lobby elected officials.)
Identify the type of power base associated with each of the following. Legitimate a. Joining a coalition to lobby for a national health insurance plan b. Organizing nurses to work for the opponent in the next election c. The dean of the school discussing the educational program d. Testifying before a committee on a bill e. A political action committee's endorsement or financial contribution
D
Identify the type of power base associated with each of the following. referent (mentor) a. Joining a coalition to lobby for a national health insurance plan b. Organizing nurses to work for the opponent in the next election c. The dean of the school discussing the educational program d. Testifying before a committee on a bill e. A political action committee's endorsement or financial contribution
E
Identify the type of power base associated with each of the following Reward a. Joining a coalition to lobby for a national health insurance plan b. Organizing nurses to work for the opponent in the next election c. The dean of the school discussing the educational program d. Testifying before a committee on a bill e. A political action committee's endorsement or financial contribution
a
The nurses at Community General Hospital are concerned about violence involving children in their community. They wish to propose to the city government that drug-free and weapons-free zones and corridors be instituted near each school. The nurses send liaisons to the city school board and the parent-teachers association to ask them to join the effort. What is the term for this type of strategy? a. Forming a coalition c. Collective bargaining b. Displaying legitimate power d. Seeking compromise
a (A coalition is formed when individuals or organizations that share a common interest in a single issue work together toward a goal. Legitimate power is the power or the influence that comes with role and position. In some states, nurses have made a choice to gain that voice and assume control of their practice by using a traditional collective bargaining model, commonly known as a labor union. Other states have elected to control practice through interest-based bargaining (IBB) or a nontraditional approach to collective bargaining to accomplish having that voice and control over practice. Seeking compromise or bargaining is when both positions or sides make concessions.)
How would a nurse determine the political views regarding health care issues of individuals who are running for public office? a. Call the state or national political action committee of the American Nurses Association. b. Talk with the administration of the institution to determine who is supporting health care issues. c. Call the party headquarters of the candidates and ask them to share the views of the candidate with you. d. Call the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and obtain the political action reports.
a (ANS: A A political action committee should have the information regarding the views of specific candidates. It is the purpose of the committee to determine and collectively endorse candidates that support nursing and health care issues. The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), formerly the NLNAC, does not participate in political action activities; however, the National League of Nursing (NLN) does. Calling party headquarters may not provide you with a comprehensive list of the views of a candidate's views. Talking to administration will provide you with their personal thoughts as to who is supporting health care issues, which may be biased.)
Which of the following statements by the nurse shows understanding of the competence framework? a. "Competence development is the means by which the nurse gains knowledge, skills, and abilities." b. "Competence development is the means by which the nurse's knowledge, skills, and abilities are tested." c. "Competence development refers to health and conduct expectations of the nurse." d. "Competence development refers to the nurse's ability to perform the functions of the nursing role."
a (Competence development is the means by which the nurse gains knowledge, skills, and abilities. Competence assessment is the means by which the nurse's knowledge, skills, and abilities are tested. Competence conduct refers to the health and conduct expectations of the nurse, as well as the nurse's ability to perform the functions of the nursing role.)
Which statement by the nurse would best represent the purpose of a political action committee (PAC)? a. A vehicle for nurses across the country to organize collectively to endorse and support candidates for national offices b. A group of individuals or organizations who share a common interest in a single issue c. An organizational structure established for the purpose of supporting and fostering changes in the health care system d. A group that identifies special needs and raises funds to influence politicians to vote in a manner that supports the special needs
a (PACs are a method by which a special-interest group can collectively endorse and support a candidate without the donation of large sums of money. ANA-PACs, as well as state PACs, enable nurses to organize and support candidates that have the ability to influence legislation on health care issues. A PAC can be active in any area of interest, not just health care or other special need areas. It is not an organizational structure for making changes in the health care system)
Which statement by the nurse educator is accurate regarding politics? a. "Politics involves influencing the allocation of scarce resources." b. "Politics involves identifying those in a public office that can be influenced." c. "Politics involves attempting to get people in government positions to think the way you want them to." d. "Politics involves lobbying for state and federal legislation to improve the quality of nursing care."
a (Politics is the process of influencing the allocation (who will receive) of scarce resources (nursing care and health care). It is a vital tool that enables the nurse to be more effective in the involvement in the political process and gives an individual nurse a tool that augments his or her power—or clout—to improve the care provided to patients. Whether on the community, hospital, or nursing unit level, political skills and understanding how laws are enacted enable the nurse to identify needed resources, gain access to those resources, work with legislative bodies to lobby for changes in the health care system, and overcome obstacles, thus facilitating the movement of the patient to higher levels of health or function. Lobbying is a part of the political process but is not a definition of politics. It is important to know who is in public office so that contact can be made to inform them of your position on certain issues.)
A nurse plans to lobby a state senator regarding a particular health care bill. Which action would be appropriate? a. The nurse should be specific about what action the senator should take early in the contact or letter. b. The nurse should tell the senator that if their advice is followed, the nurse will vote for the senator. c. The nurse should use a form letter to express personal opinion and encourage as many as possible to mail in the form letter. d. The nurse should avoid making contact by phone and only submit personal views in writing.
a (The structure and content of a visit or a written contact are very similar. That is, know your issue, keep it short, identify the issue by its bill number and title, and communicate exactly what action you want the lawmaker to take. Using a form letter is not as powerful as one that is specifically written by the person to the senator. It is not appropriate to tell the senator your persuasion on voting for them based on whether they follow your advice on the health care bill. Lobbying is about giving opinions.)
The nurse understands the importance of participation in politics when stating which of the following? (Select all that apply.) a. "It is important for nursing to be presented in a positive light." b. "Nurses should fight for better health care for all patients." c. "Nurses should only worry about what is occurring where they practice nursing." d. "Nurses should lobby for the availability of health care." e. "The public should see what nurses really do."
a, b, d, e (It is important that the nurse understand how important political participation is. The following statements indicate understanding: "It is important for nursing to be presented in a positive light," "Nurses should fight for better health care for all patients," "Nurses should lobby for the availability of health care," and "The public should see what nurses really do." The statement "Nurses should only worry about what is occurring where they practice nursing" does not indicate understanding of the importance of political participation.)
What action makes up a nurse's political savvy? (Select all that apply.) a. Analyzing a situation b. Participating in a constructive way c. Following directions d. Voicing an opinion e. Presenting a possible resolution
a, b, d, e (The actions that make up a nurses political savvy include the ability to analyze a situation, participate in a constructive way, voice an opinion, and present a possible resolution. The ability to follow directions does not make up the nurse's political savvy.)
In what ways can the nurse lobby? (Select all that apply.) a. Upon meeting the candidate for the first time and assessing knowledge b. Meet face-to-face with the candidate to discuss the issues. c. The nurse cannot lobby a candidate. d. Write a letter to the candidate. e. Email the candidate.
a, b, d, e (The nurse can lobby a candidate in different ways. Meeting a candidate allows the nurse to assess that person as a potential office holder. Nurses can also write letters or email a candidate to discuss issues.)
The nurse has an adequate understanding of power when listing which of the following as laws of power? (Select all that apply.) a. Power invariably fills any vacuum. b. Power is invariably public. c. Power is based on a system of ideas and philosophy. d. Power is exercised through and depends on institutions. e. Power is invariably confront with and acts in the presence of a field of responsibility.
a, c, d, e (The laws of power are: Law #1: Power invariably fills any vacuum; Law #2: Power Is Invariably Personal; Law #3: Power Is Based On a System of Ideas and Philosophy; Law #4: Power Is Exercised Through and Depends on Institutions; and Law #5: Power Is Invariably Confronted with and Acts in the Presence of a Field of Responsibility.)
One of the five laws of power is that "power fills a vacuum." Which statement by the nurse best captures that type of power? a. "An individual who provides leadership and power to create a strategy that will address a problem and get people to contribute to the effort" b. "People who are willing to give power to someone in order to restore comfort or handle a dilemma" c. "An individual who takes action to speak and act on behalf of a group d. "A state nursing association that acts on behalf of the nurses within the respective state"
b (People are willing to give power to someone interested in restoring order to situations of discomfort. Therefore, someone will eventually step forward to handle the dilemma (Law 1: Power Invariably Fills Any Vacuum). As an individual, one can easily feel powerless and unable to deal with the complex problems facing a hospital, community, or state. Through a nursing service organization, a state nurses association, or a similar organization, an individual can garner the resources needed to magnify their power (Law 4: Power Is Exercised Through and Depends on Institutions). A person exercises power by providing the leadership or spark to create the strategy to carry out such an initiative, thus inspiring people to contribute to the effort (Law 2: Power Is Invariably Personal). Actions taken speak to the other nurses for who nurses act and, most important, the patients for who nurses advocate. The individual in the power position is acting on behalf of the group (Law 5: Power Is Invariably Confronted With and Acts in the Presence of a Field of Responsibility).)
A nurse is educating a group of students about reward power. The nurse knows the teaching has been effective when one of the students says: a. "Reward power does not actually exist anymore." b. "Reward power may cause a person to behave in a manner that benefits someone else." c. "Nurses are not susceptible to reward power." d. "Reward power only benefits nurses."
b (Reward power occurs when a person behaves in a manner that benefits someone else upon receiving a reward. Reward power does exist in today's society, although it is more closely monitored than in the past.)
Which strategy is least effective in formulating political action? a. Ability to communicate information in concise terms b. Living and practicing in several different states c. Determining who should be contacted and for what political action d. Having the ability to use different channels of information
b (The least effective strategy in formulating a political action is living and practicing in several different states. Communication, the ability to determine who should be contacted, and knowing how to use the different channels of information are all important in political action)
A group of nurses are concerned about access to health care in rural communities. Which action should they take to voice their concerns? a. Complain to their coworkers. b. Form a coalition to be combat the issue. c. Independently discuss the issues with other staff. d. Attend monthly staff meetings.
b (To be effective, the nurses should form a coalition to combat the issues associated with access to health care in rural communities. Complaining to coworkers and working independently would not be as effective as forming a coalition.)
A nurse is educating coworkers on power. The nurse knows the teaching has been effective when the coworkers state: The sources of power are (Select all that apply.) a. reward b. coercive c. punishment d. expert e. legitimate f. referent
b, ,d ,e, f (There are five types of power: reward, coercive, expert, legitimate, and referent. Punishment is not one of the five types of power.)
Identify the type of power base associated with each of the following. informational expert a. Joining a coalition to lobby for a national health insurance plan b. Organizing nurses to work for the opponent in the next election c. The dean of the school discussing the educational program d. Testifying before a committee on a bill e. A political action committee's endorsement or financial contribution
c
The state nurses association writes a new version of the Nurse Practice Act, secures a sponsor in the legislature, and lobbies legislators to adopt the bill. Which of the laws of power would the nurse label this situation? a. Power is invariably personal. b. Power invariably fills any vacuum. c. Power is exercised through and depends on institutions. d. Power is best exercised via large financial donations to individual legislators.
c (As an individual, one can easily feel powerless and unable to deal with the complex problems facing a hospital, community, or state. Through a nursing service organization, a state nurses association, or a similar organization, an individual can garner the resources needed to magnify their power (Law 4: Power Is Exercised Through and Depends on Institutions). Initiatives such as this start with one person creating a new approach to a problem. That person exercises power by providing the leadership or spark to create the strategy to carry out such an initiative, thus inspiring people to contribute to the effort (Law 2: Power Is Invariably Personal). When a problem or issue arises, the prevailing desire is for peace and order. People are willing to give power to someone interested in restoring order to situations of discomfort. Therefore, someone will eventually step forward to handle the dilemma (Law 1: Power Invariably Fills Any Vacuum). Power is best exercised via large financial donations to individual legislators is not one of the five Sanford's laws of power.)
Which statement would be accurate of nurses who support collective bargaining? a. "Collective bargaining has set nursing back." b. "In general, collective bargaining is ineffective." c. "Collective bargaining forces positive change in the practice setting." d. "Collective bargaining forces negative change in the practice setting."
c (Collective bargaining is highly effective and forces positive change in the practice setting because individuals are forced to look at and address situations together. Collective bargaining has helped nursing move forward because of advancements made during negotiations.)
A nurse has recently moved from one state to another and wishes to write lawmakers to urge them to vote against a change in the Nurse Practice Act that would replace individual licensure with institutional licensure. What lawmakers should the nurse contact? a. The city council members b. The county (parish) legislators c. The state legislators from the district d. The federal legislators from the district
c (Each state's Nurse Practice Act is regulated by state laws. It would be important for the politically active nurse to contact state lawmakers and advise them of the pending legislation and the ramifications that would occur if institutional licensure replaced individual licensure—for instance, lack of regulation of safe nursing practice. The Nurse Practice Act is not regulated by city, county (parish), or federal legislative bodies.)
The clinical nurse leader makes out the daily assignments. One staff nurse tells another, "Last week I was asked to change my days off so the clinical nurse leader could go to a play in another city. I told the clinical nurse leader I couldn't do it. Ever since then, I've been given the most difficult patients on the unit for my assignment." The staff nurse can label this type of power as: a. Inherent c. Legitimate b. Referent d. Expert
c (Legitimate power is the power or the influence that comes with role and position. In this situation, the clinical nurse leader has legitimate power and authority because of the position to make the patient assignments. Referent power is power a person has because others closely identify with that person's personal characteristics. Expert power is based on specialized knowledge, skills, or abilities that are recognized and respected by others. Inherent power is not a specific type.)
A nurse is actively involved in the political arena and is educating a colleague about becoming involved in the election process. The nurse knows that their teaching has been effective when a colleague states: a. "Nurses are discouraged from becoming involved in politics." b. "The election process has nothing to do with nursing." c. "It is easy for a nurse to become involved in the election process." d. "Political campaigns never need any help."
c (Political campaigns typically need help folding letters, stuffing envelopes, looking up addresses, and preparing bulk mailings. It would be easy for nurses to become involved once they find a candidate that they wish to support.)
What action should the student nurse taken to begin networking? a. Begin networking shortly after starting a new job. b. Avoid networking and establish a career based on reputation. c. Begin networking upon graduation. d. Begin the networking process when a new position is needed.
c (The student nurse should begin the networking process upon graduation to assist with future educational and career undertakings.)
What is an example of the weakest source of power? a. Several nursing students talk with a head nurse regarding a problem they are having on the unit. The head nurse then discusses this problem with the chief nursing officer. b. The clinical nursing instructor sends a student to the skills lab for further practice. c. A nurse shares knowledge regarding nursing in a confident manner and style. d. The head nurse tells staff members that as soon as all the care plans are completed, they may have some additional compensation time.
c (When a nurse shares knowledge regarding nursing and nursing care, this is an example of expert power, which is the weakest in the power structure. The strongest power source is reward power as noted by tell staff nurses that once they are finished with their care plans, they may have some additional compensation time. Legitimate power is demonstrated by the nursing instructor sending a student to the skills lab for further practice. When student nurses discuss with the head nurse issues they are having on the unit and the head nurse discusses this with the chief nursing officer, this is considered an example of referent power.)