The Use of Power: Do You know how to handle and control it?

As a nurse leader or even a nurse manager, one of the things that will be attained is power.  The use of power in healthcare takes many different forms, and it does not come all wrapped up in one little box to be taken out when it is to one's advantage.  So, I ask this question, what is power? What does it mean to you?  When you think of power, what feelings do you have? 

When thinking of power, many individuals have the feeling of uncomfortableness.  In fact, in some cases, it conjures a very negative feeling.  Power is actually a new concept for us nurses and nurse educators.  There is no agreement in the nursing community as to what the power is for nursing, just like critical thinking.  When I think of the word power, several things come to my mind.  I see the color red, I see a power struggle in which two people are engaged in an argument.  I see it is a great skill to have as long as one develops it and understands the value of it.  Power is the ability to influence others through the use of energy and strength (Anderson, 2010).  One of the important facts I would like to make is, that to understand power,  one has to understand the different types of pwer so that they can be identified not only in yourself, but in others as well. 

There are six different bases of power: Expert power, reward power, legitamate power, coercion power, informational power, and referent power (Anderson, 2010).  Each of these bases of power affects people in different ways.  We will talk more about this tomorrow.  For tonight take the quiz from quibblo to see what kind of leader you are.

Reference
Anderson, M. A. (2010). Nursing leadership, management, and professional practice for the LPN/LVN in nursing school and beyond. (4th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: F. A. Davis
http://www.quibblo.com/quiz/bvMdq2f/The-Four-Frames-of-Leadership