The nurse manager meets with the staff nurses and announces that management has developed a new policy and procedure that is significantly different from old practices

Question

Which of the follow-ing statements, if made by the nurse manager, would reflect the manager's use of legitimate power? 1. "The health care system services a client population that presents particular chal-lenges. The changes made will enhance client safety and reduce errors."
2. "If you don't follow the new policy and procedure, I'll have no choice but to give you a notice about poor performance—which could lead to termination of your employment."
3. "Every manager has the responsibility to see that these new policies and proce-dures are followed 100% of the time. Please join me in this organization's effort to continue to improve quality care."
4. "You're just going to have to trust me on this one. I was a member of the com-mittee that wrote the policy and procedure, and there are good reasons why the specific nursing actions need to be done this new way."

Answer 1

3

Rationale: "Every manager has the responsibility to see that these new policies and procedures are followed 100% of the time. Please join me in this organization's effort to continue to improve quality care." describes legitimate power. Legitimate power is based upon a person's position within an organization or society. The organizational leadership has mandated performance outcomes, and management carries the responsibility to see that the mandate is met. "The health care system services a client population that presents particular challenges. The changes made will enhance client safety and reduce errors." demonstrates informational power. The manager is using data to drive compliance with the mandate. "If you don't follow the new policy and pro-cedure, I'll have no choice but to give you a notice about poor performance—which could lead to termination of your employment." reflects an example of coercive power. Coercive power is a "do this or else" type of approach. "You're just going to have to trust me on this one. I was a member of the committee that wrote the policy and procedure, and there are good reasons why the specific nursing actions need to be done this new way." reflects expert power. The manager is asking the staff nurses to comply with the mandate because the manager possesses expert knowledge and skill levels. In addition to coercive, informational, expert, and legitimate power, the manager has referent, reward, and personal power.