Nursing homework

    Think back to a time when you had a conflict with a person in the workplace.  It could be a coworker, patient, supervisor or a family member.  How did you handle the situation?  Was it appropriate and professional? As your initial post, respond to the following questions. 

1. Briefly describe the conflict and your response.
2. Which of the five sources of power listed in Sherpath (Chapter 10) did the person hold?  Don’t forget to reference and cite your sources.
3. Was your response consistent with your conflict assessment style?  Why or why not?
4. If you had the chance to replay the conflict, what would you do to better resolve the conflict?

  > use this for question 2 on the types of power. French and Raven’s Five Sources of Power i already added the citation below but you can add one more.

1 Reward power is giving something of value. For example, in nursing, rewards may be a pay raise, praise, a promotion, or a job on the day shift. Reward power is based on the ability to deliver desired rewards.

2 Coercive power is force against the will. For example, in nursing, coercive power can be the threat of firing, of disciplinary action, or other negative consequences. Coercive power is the power derived from an ability to threaten punishment and deliver penalties. It is a source of power used to apply pressure so that others will meet what is demanded.

3 Expert power means the use of expertise. It is knowledge, competence, communication, and personal power all combined in a reservoir of knowledge and experience. Expert power is a source of power held by those with some special knowledge, skill, or competence in a particular area. For example, the nurse with the greatest expertise in wound dressings will be sought out by other people in the work environment for this expertise. Expertise is an artful combination of skill and knowledge. It may be founded on depth of knowledge and/or psychomotor skill. There is power in the use of knowledge and skill (i.e., because people need you or can benefit from your expertise, power exists). Therefore the use of expertise can be structured to accomplish or influence movement or action toward certain goals.

4 Referent power is a little more difficult to understand because it is subtle. It is the use of charisma to influence others. The followers of someone with referent power respond positively to the interpersonal communication and image of the charismatic person. In organizations, this translates into an informal leadership based on liking, charisma, or personal power. Referent power comes from the affinity other people have for someone. They admire the personal qualities, the problem-solving ability, the style, or the dedication the person brings to the work. Referent power can be viewed as an inspirational power because people’s admiration for someone allows that person to influence without having to offer rewards or threaten punishments. For example, in the political arena, occasionally there are charismatic political figures or orators. Their influence comes from their followers’ liking or identification with them. An example in nursing is Florence Nightingale, who became a symbol of professional nursing. An emotional upsweep is felt by associating with a charismatic person. Referent power is a personal liking and identification experienced by others. Followers attribute referent power to a leader based on the leader’s personal characteristics and interpersonal appeal. Physical attractiveness may contribute to referent power.

5 Legitimate power means positional power. It is the right to command within the organizational structure based on the hierarchical position held. The president of the United States has power because of holding the position. Legitimate power is the most common source of power. It is what most often is called authority . The authority of position gives the person the right to act, order, and direct others. However, leadership and influence need not be confined to those with authority. Every person possesses the ability to tap different sources of power to use in a variety of situations.

Data from French, J., & Raven, B. (1959). The bases of social power. In D. Cartwright (Ed.), Studies in social power (pp. 150–167). Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan, Institute for Social Research.

Follow the rubric belowe.  

Criteria

Points

Initial post:  4 points addressed, evidence-based strategies used, minimum of 300 words 

0-5

APA reference and citation(s): minimum of one each for the initial response 

0-1

Grammar and spelling

0-1

Professional communication

0-1