Job Knowledge: A Form of Power, Research Paper Example

In the context of healthcare both job knowledge and specialist technical expertise create both power and authority. In consideration of power this relates to the ability of one person to influence the belief, emotion and behaviour of another. Knowledge has always been linked to power and the ability to exert this over another. For example: A specialist surgeon or consultant would be considered as a subject matter expert in a particular medical discipline. This knowledge gives the specialist both authority and power over other subordinate medical staff within that particular medical field. This is linked to the specialist having acquired specialist technical skills and being an expert in that field of knowledge. (Health Knowledge, 2012).

Another example being that of the Advanced Practice Nurse. Owing to the acquisition of specialist skills and knowledge these nurses tend to be more empowered than the ordinary staff nurses. They have more influence over the direct control of patient care. A good example being the APN in the State of Georgia. Here nurses, similar to that in Ohio, may make out prescriptions for patients. Historically, the senior nurses tended to be marginalized in so far as the Doctor to patient relationship was concerned. This is now changing in favor of the ability of Nurses to up their game in the Education stakes. Many APN’s have advanced University degrees and additional specialist qualifications in their subject areas. (Beall, F. 2007)

There are numerous challenges to be faced. One of the most important is recognition and awareness of the issues and making adequate training plans for nurses to obtain the required training and experience in leadership skills. This as opposed to approaching the problem in an ad hoc manner by trying to learn and acquire the skills on the job. This also involves a willingness on behalf of hospital administrators to let the nurses obtain a more active role in the decision making process and work as part of integrated subject matter expert teams. Another aspect is to recognize seniority of nurses in terms of qualifications, experience and tenure in the job. These people have the ability to coach and mentor junior staff and as such improve the overall quality levels of the nursing in the hospital or medical facility concerned.

References

Beall, F. (2007). Overview and Summary: power ro influence patient care. Journal of issues in Nursing Vol 12(1), 1.

Health Knowledge. (2012, 7 10). The theoretical and practical aspects of power and authority, role and conflict. Retrieved from Health Knowledge: http://www.healthknowledge.org.uk/public-health-textbook/organisation-management/5a-understanding-itd/power-authority-role-conflict