chapter 5 | Organizations, Power, and Empowerment 67shared governance would make it possible for the
critical care nurses to accomplish their goal.
Professional Organizations
Although the purposes of the American Nurses
Association and that of other professional organi-
zations are discussed in Chapter 15, these organi-
zations are considered here specifically in terms of
how they can empower nurses.
A collective voice, expressed through these
organizations, can be stronger and more easily
heard than one individual voice. By joining togeth-
er in professional organizations, nurses make their
viewpoint known and their value recognized. The
power base of nursing professional organizations is
derived from the number of members and their
expertise in health matters.
Why there is power in numbers may need some
explanation. Large numbers of active, informed
members of an organization represent large num-
bers of potential voters to state and national legis-
lators, most of whom wish to be remembered
favorably in forthcoming elections. Large groups of
people also have a “louder” voice: they can write
more letters, speak to more friends and family
members, make more telephone calls, and generally
attract more attention than small groups can.
Professional organizations can empower nurses
in a number of ways:
■Collegiality, the opportunity to work with peers
on issues of importance to the profession
■Commitment to improving the health and well-
being of the people served by the profession
■Representation at the state or province and
national level when issues of importance to
nursing arise
■Enhancement of nurses’ competence through
publications and continuing education
■Recognition of achievement through certifica-
tion programs, awards, and the media
Collective Bargaining
Like professional organizations, collective bargain-
ing uses the power of numbers, in this case for the
purpose of equalizing the power of employees and
employer to improve working conditions, gain
respect, increase job security, and have greater input
into collective decisions (empowerment) and pay
increases (Tappen, 2001). When people join for a
common cause, they can often exert more power
than when they attempt to bring about change
individually. Large numbers of people have the
potential to cause more psychological or economic
pain than an individual can. For example, the resig-
nation of one nursing assistant or one nurse may
cause a temporary problem, but it is usually resolved
rather quickly by hiring another individual. If 50 or
100 aides or nurses resign, however, the organization
can be paralyzed and will have much more difficulty
replacing these essential workers. Collective bargain-
ing takes advantage of this power in numbers.
An effective collective bargaining contract can
provide considerable protection to employees.
However, the downside of collective bargaining
(as with most uses of coercive power) is that it may
encourage conflict rather than cooperation between
employees and managers, an “us” against “them”
environment (Haslam, 2001). Many nurses are also
concerned about the effect that going out on strike
might have on their patients’ welfare and on their
own economic security. Most administrators and
managers prefer to operate within a union-free
environment (Hannigan, 1998).Research Example
Can nurse managers empower their staff? The
answer is yes, according to nurse researchers who
surveyed 537 staff nurses in two large hospitals.
Fostering autonomy and showing confidence in the
staff were especially empowering. Empowered staff
worked more effectively and had lower levels of
job-related tension. (Laschinger, H.K.S., Wong, C.,
McMahon, L., & Kaufman, C. (1999). Leader
behavior impact on staff nurse empowerment, job
tension, and work effectiveness.Journal of Nursing
Administration,29[5], 28–39.)Enhancing Expertise
Most health-care professionals, including nurses, are
empowered to some extent by their own profession-
al knowledge and competence. You can take steps to
enhance your own competence, thereby increasing
your own sense of empowerment (Fig. 5.4)
■Participate in interdisciplinary team confer-
ences and patient-centered conferences on
your unit.
■Attend continuing education offerings to
enhance your expertise.
■Attend local, regional, and national conferences
sponsored by relevant nursing and specialty
organizations.