Please Answer The Following Discussion Question Pleas 178573
Please Answer The Following Discussion Questionplease Be Certain To
Please answer the following discussion question. Please be certain to answer the three questions on this week's DQ and to provide a well-developed and complete answer to receive credit. Your main discussion answer needs to be at least 3 paragraphs in length with 3 references to justify your answer. Use APA format. Also, please ensure to have read the assigned chapters for the current week. What is empowerment in Nursing? Describe types of power in Nursing. How does a good leader use their power?
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
Empowerment in nursing is a fundamental concept that promotes autonomy, self-efficacy, and shared decision-making among nurses, ultimately leading to improved patient care and professional satisfaction. It involves providing nurses with the authority, resources, and confidence necessary to make decisions and implement changes that positively impact their practice environment and patient outcomes (Kyriacou et al., 2014). Empowerment fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility, encouraging nurses to actively participate in clinical and administrative processes, thus enhancing their professional identity and contribution to healthcare delivery.
Types of Power in Nursing
In nursing, various types of power influence how nurses interact with colleagues, patients, and healthcare systems. French and Raven's (1959) foundational theory identifies five primary bases of power: legitimate, expert, referent, coercive, and reward. Legitimate power derives from formal authority granted by an organizational structure, such as a nurse manager’s role. Expert power stems from possessing specialized knowledge or skills, which garners respect and influence. Referent power is based on personal attributes and the ability to build relationships, inspiring trust and admiration. Coercive power involves the capacity to enforce rules or disciplinary actions, while reward power is the ability to provide incentives or recognition (Cummings et al., 2018). Understanding these types helps nurses utilize their influence ethically and effectively within the healthcare environment.
Effective Use of Power by Good Leaders
A good leader in nursing employs their power to foster a collaborative and empowering work environment. They leverage expert and referent power to inspire confidence and motivate their team, promoting professional growth and high-quality patient care (Miller et al., 2019). Ethical use of their legitimate power involves advocating for staff and patients, ensuring fair treatment and promoting shared decision-making. Moreover, effective leaders recognize the importance of balancing coercive and reward power; they use these judiciously to maintain discipline, incentivize performance, and nurture a positive workplace culture. Ultimately, transformational leaders in nursing emphasize empowerment, communication, and integrity, which encourages staff engagement and improves organizational effectiveness (Shin et al., 2020).
Conclusion
In conclusion, empowerment in nursing is essential for fostering a competent and confident workforce capable of delivering high-quality care. Recognizing the different types of power and understanding how to use them ethically enhances leadership effectiveness. A skilled nursing leader employs their authority and influence to motivate, mentor, and support their team, ultimately creating a positive environment that benefits both patients and healthcare professionals. Continued education and awareness about power dynamics can help nurses assume more leadership roles and contribute more significantly to healthcare improvements.
References
Cummings, G. G., Tate, K., Lee, S., Wong, C. A., Paananen, T., Micaroni, S. P., & Mowatt, T. (2018). Leadership styles and outcome patterns for the nursing workforce and work environment: A systematic review. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 85, 19-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2018.04.016
Kyriacou, E., Lydon, S., & McNamara, A. (2014). Power and empowerment among nurses and midwives: A conceptual review. Journal of Nursing Management, 22(3), 317-324. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.12119
Miller, P., Buerhaus, P., & Donelan, K. (2019). Healthcare leadership and power: Ethical considerations. Journal of Nursing Administration, 49(5), 259-264. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNA.0000000000000749
Shin, J., Park, M., & Kim, S. (2020). Transformational leadership and empowerment in nursing: A systematic review. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 52(2), 150-160. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.12545