NSG 4029 Week 2 Discussion
Using the South University Online Library or the Internet, research about power sources for a
nurse leader. Based on your understanding, answer the following questions:
1. In your opinion, what are the three most important power sources for a nurse leader? Why?
2. How are they best used in a leadership role? Describe.
3. What sources of power do you see most often displayed in your work environment? Why?
1. In my opinion, the 3 most important power sources for a nurse leader are
positional power, referent power, and expert power. With positional power, the nurse
leader acts as an individual assigned by the relative position and duties of the holder of
that position within an organization. (Passmore, 2018.) This can be evident when
supervising tasks of other nurses. Referent power is the power or ability of individuals to
attract others and build loyalty. It’s based on charisma and interpersonal skills.
(Passmore, 2018.) I am not sure of anything more important for a leader to employ than
that of excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills. Communication is
paramount when leading a team. Expert power is an individual’s power deriving from
the skills or expertise of the person and the organization’s needs for those skills and
expertise. (Passmore, 2018). How will you lead your team if you don’t hold the same
skills to get into the trenches with them when needed? A leader should be an example
of how to perform on and off the field. Your team will respect you more as their nurse
leader if you can show them you hold knowledge and skill, and not just preach about it.
2. A leader is typically the one her team will go to for answers and clarification.
Therefore, being in a leadership role, you should represent autonomy in your own
nursing practice. Leaders must be able to make decisions and judgments
independently, all while being and remaining competent in nursing practice. A more
recent study has validated the magnet hospital findings, demonstrating that strong
nursing leadership strengthens the effect of empowerment on nursing practice
behaviors. (Manojlovich, 2005). Low educational levels of nurses may also contribute to
nurses’ feelings of powerlessness. However, having expertise is not the same thing as
experience.
3. I have seen all 3 of these sources of power at one time or another in my
working environment. I have known some nursing leaders to have a strong sense of
Using the South University Online Library or the Internet, research about power sources for a
nurse leader. Based on your understanding, answer the following questions:
1. In your opinion, what are the three most important power sources for a nurse leader? Why?
2. How are they best used in a leadership role? Describe.
3. What sources of power do you see most often displayed in your work environment? Why?
1. In my opinion, the 3 most important power sources for a nurse leader are
positional power, referent power, and expert power. With positional power, the nurse
leader acts as an individual assigned by the relative position and duties of the holder of
that position within an organization. (Passmore, 2018.) This can be evident when
supervising tasks of other nurses. Referent power is the power or ability of individuals to
attract others and build loyalty. It’s based on charisma and interpersonal skills.
(Passmore, 2018.) I am not sure of anything more important for a leader to employ than
that of excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills. Communication is
paramount when leading a team. Expert power is an individual’s power deriving from
the skills or expertise of the person and the organization’s needs for those skills and
expertise. (Passmore, 2018). How will you lead your team if you don’t hold the same
skills to get into the trenches with them when needed? A leader should be an example
of how to perform on and off the field. Your team will respect you more as their nurse
leader if you can show them you hold knowledge and skill, and not just preach about it.
2. A leader is typically the one her team will go to for answers and clarification.
Therefore, being in a leadership role, you should represent autonomy in your own
nursing practice. Leaders must be able to make decisions and judgments
independently, all while being and remaining competent in nursing practice. A more
recent study has validated the magnet hospital findings, demonstrating that strong
nursing leadership strengthens the effect of empowerment on nursing practice
behaviors. (Manojlovich, 2005). Low educational levels of nurses may also contribute to
nurses’ feelings of powerlessness. However, having expertise is not the same thing as
experience.
3. I have seen all 3 of these sources of power at one time or another in my
working environment. I have known some nursing leaders to have a strong sense of
