Within any environment where politics is involved, numbers are the key. In this case, the nurses knew they had the power of numbers and all they needed to do was to work towards a common goal and achieve a similar objective as well as incorporate some more numbers within their decision making group. This was then anchored with the fact that the team had within it a high level of experience and professionalism and thus the decision should solely be based on the patient outcomes that may be accrued from the change in unit which is what entails their job description and scope. In this case, the nurses demonstrated their political skills by acting as the patient advocates as opposed to being swayed by the side shows as those brought in by the finance officer. The formation of a coalition was based on the idea that numbers bring in power, unity and purpose and within these concepts deriving the foundation for reforms.
The need to gather support for the bill from fellow nurses is informed by the idea the voice of the nurses is magnified when they act as a unit as opposed to when they speak from different versions. In this case, bringing nurses together would help the legislators realize that the bill means a great deal to the nurses and this could help sway the decisions of those that would have previously opposed it. The nurses will have to argue that the interstate licensure compact will help increase the level of communication, consultation and collaboration across states at a time when technology has tried to break the geographical barriers. Further, the nurses will have to claim that this licensure compact will help create standardization across the remunerations and wring conditions for nurses as each sate will try to attract the best workforce. This ultimately will translate to satisfactory working conditions and improved patient outcomes in the long run. A key strategy in addressing the representative is to note that they may not be well versed with the technical terms from a healthcare point of view and thus making the points as abstract and clear as possible. Further, due to the congested schedules of the representatives the address should be direct to the point which implies making the strongest arguments first and having the weaker points coming later.
This case explores or covers the both legitimate and expert power concepts. This is the power that is acquired through experience and longevity in a profession. In this case, the nurse who proposed the topic accurately puts into use the first law of power by passionately speaking about the issue of health literacy; whereby an educated workforce would at any time surpass any reforms or revolutions that would occur in the healthcare environment. The same case puts into use the Law 2 of power in that the proposing nurse more bases the arguments on a research she had conducted during her graduate studies. Ultimately, the nurse’s passion and her foundational research indicate that she is driven more by the power she has acquired and it is the same power that she seeks to impose on others (Berman, 357).
Works cited
Berman, Audry, et al. Kozier & Erb's Fundamentals of Nursing Australian Edition. Vol. 3. Pearson Higher Education AU, 2014.
