Power involves both the ability to influence others as well as the ability to mobilize and use resources to achieve specified goals (Hashish, 2015). This paper presents a detailed plan for enhancing my power as a nurse and a leader–manager including building my personal power base, leadership development, empowering others, mobilizing the power of nursing for social change, and education. This plan is based on a reflection on my current sense of power in my organization and the nursing profession. The plan incorporates findings from self–assessments of my motivation to lead and leadership skills.
I currently work as a Charge Nurse within a large Primary Care setting. This position means that I have expert power arising my training as a nurse and the experience gained from my years of practice. I also have legitimate power over the nurses who work under me as I give them instructions and they are obliged to comply. This position also means that I am a leader within the organization. Some of the leadership roles I play include coaching younger nurses, supervising activities in the department, and assuring that treatment goals are met. I have a high level of leadership skills and competencies such as self-confidence, a positive outlook and attitude, and high emotional intelligence. My self-assessment on leadership skills indicates that I have a transformational leadership style; I am able to build a vision for the future, motivate my subordinates to follow that vision, manage their performance effectively, as well as serve as a role model.
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Position power is the power that comes from the leaders’ position, such as my role as a Charge nurse while personal power comes from personal attributes. My goal is to increase both my position and personal power in the healthcare institution in which I work and in the profession. I have a high motivation to lead and the confidence to lead. I actively participate in solving problems, encouraging others, and often serve as a role model. I have a strong focus on team accomplishments which is critical in the nursing profession. I also tend to serve as a mentor and coach where there are team projects.
Building My Personal Power Base
Gain Expert Power
Expert power comes from knowledge and expertise in the field as well as expertise (Hashish, 2015). Thus, I will continue to build my skills and confidence through acquiring clinical expertise in the primary care setting. This will involve participating in training workshops and meetings, in addition to carrying out my day-to-day tasks as a Charge Nurse.
Team Play and Collaboration
As indicated in the self-assessment on motivation to lead, I am very team-oriented in my approach to work. I intend to build on this attribute through behaviors such as offering support to colleagues, contributing to group problem-solving, and working hard to make sure team goals are achieved.
Leadership development is very important for every career nurse (Bulmer, 2015). I intend to continue to improve on my leadership skills through showing a strong commitment to the professional growth of the nurses that work under me, as well as through maintaining a high standard of personal integrity. Furthermore, in the 21st century, nurses need a range of special leadership skills such as conflict management, time management, advocacy, and team building (Dyess, Sherman, Pratt, et al., 2016). I will attend leadership trainings and workshops on these related leadership skills as the opportunity arises to continue to improve my leadership abilities.
The rate of turnover among new nurses is very high due to factors such as difficulties coping with rapidly changing policies, lack of resources, and lack of autonomy. These problems create a feeling of powerlessness for new nurses (Dyess et al., 2016). As a Charge Nurse, I will work to assure that my nurses are empowered through having the resources they need to do their work and the ability to participate in decision-making. I will also assure that they have access to necessary information promptly.
Educational preparation is an important cornerstone for nursing leadership. As noted by the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) (2014), the minimum preparation for nurse leaders to assume more responsibility for departments and systems is the master’s degree level. Accordingly, I am currently enrolled in a Master’s program to prepare me to assume more responsibilities. I plan to go on to the highest level of executive leadership in the future by seeking educational preparation at a doctoral level.
The nursing profession is a powerful actor in social change and social justice. For instance, the importance of the relationship between culture and health is recognized through transcultural nursing (AONE, 2014). The profession also plays a key role in valuating health equity and the impact of income inequities on both quality of life and the social gradient. Nurses are positioned to use their knowledge and voice to help eliminate health inequities, in addition to promoting and protecting health for all (AONE, 2014). I will use my power as a professional nurse to advocate for issues such as better access to health for marginalized groups. I will also contribute to finding problems to social problems that affect health through forums such as conferences, community events, and online forums.
