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Normative power of chief executive nurses
Image--The Journal of Nursing Scholarship
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Chief nurse executives possess greater power, prestige, and legitimacy than other hospital executives. This study highlights the significant impact of nurse leaders in healthcare administration, challenging perceptions of powerlessness in the nursing profession.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Administration
- Organizational Behavior
- Nursing Leadership
Background:
- Historically, nursing leadership roles have been perceived as less powerful within hospital hierarchies.
- Understanding the distribution of power is crucial for effective healthcare management and organizational dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the power levels of chief nurse executives with other hospital executives holding similar titles.
- To investigate specific dimensions of power, including normative power, prestige, esteem, legitimacy, and symbols of power.
Main Methods:
- A quantitative study utilizing the 36-item Power Assessment Inventory.
- Data collected from 96 chief nurse executives and 147 other executives within the same hospital organizations.
Main Results:
- Chief nurse executives demonstrated significantly higher overall normative power, prestige, and legitimacy compared to other executives.
- No significant difference was found in the possession of symbols of power between chief nurse executives and their counterparts.
Conclusions:
- Nurse executives wield substantial influence in healthcare business and administration.
- Findings suggest a need to re-evaluate and challenge the notion of powerlessness within the nursing profession.