Power in individuals, groups, and the nursing profession: An Exposition
Abstract
POWER IN INDIVIDUALS, GROUPS, AND THE NURSING PROFESSION: AN EXPOSITION
By : Leo Eromonsele Akioyamen (akioyale@mcmaster.ca),
2nd year Undergraduate Nursing Student,
School of Nursing, McMaster University,
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Abstract
Presented in this paper is an examination of the nature of power and its implications for effective group development, team functioning and the nursing profession. Power is defined here as a relationship granting individuals the ability or authority to influence others and thereby effect change. By nursing profession, the author refers primarily to registered nurses.
The introduction of the work includes a brief typology of power and a description of the role it plays in individuals’ lives. In the nursing profession, it is essential to be able to work effectively in teams to facilitate the provision of high quality care for clients. Thus, discussion shifts from individual power to the groups they come together to form with a focus on the five stages of group development. The concepts of secondary tension and power distance are included in this discussion to underscore power’s impact on the effective development of the group.
The final section of this paper includes a discussion of the impact of the misuse of power in the nursing profession and resultant abuse of nursing students and/or new graduates, as well as seasoned nurses. The summary and conclusion sections of this paper emphasize the need for nursing educators to teach and encourage team members to recognize and challenge unsettling power structures, and to advocate for themselves as well as for their clients so that all may feel empowered.
Keywords: power, group process, stages of group development, nursing education, nursing practice implications
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
