Case study analysis and findings

¶ … Nursing Management:

What management style did each of the three charge nurses (Sherrie, Linda, and Tracy) display? Give rationales for your choices.

Sherrie's management style was democratic management since the decision was dependent on a consensus or majority opinion. She was a moderate day shift charge nurse who provided her subordinates an opportunity to be part of the decision-making process. Sherrie displayed democratic management style by being people-oriented and recognizing the power of group dynamics. Linda's management style was autocratic since she made all the decision by herself without relying on the subordinate nurses. As the strictest management style, autocratic leadership is more authoritative and involves unilateral decision-making (Zerwekh & Claborn, 2009). As an autocratic manager, Linda identified the reasons independently and communicated them to a section of the nurses only. On the other hand, Tracy's management style was laissez-faire because she left the nursing staff to decide on the reasons individually. Her laissez-faire management style was evident when she provided little direction, liberal opportunities and permissive climate to her subordinates.

2. What type of management style do you feel most comfortable working under as a student? Are there situations when you feel comfortable with a different type of management style?

As a nurse student, the democratic management style is a more comfortable style because of the value it places on the power of group dynamics. It's more comfortable because it's people-centered more than task-oriented and promotes good communication. However, in crisis situations like cardiac arrest codes, autocratic management is more suitable because it puts tasks before people (Zerwekh & Claborn, 2009).

3. By looking at the outcomes from each shift, describe how effective each charge nurses was based on her management and leadership characteristics.

Sherrie and Tracy were the most effective charge nurses because they obtained total participation and response from their subordinates while Linda's outcome was unknown and ineffective. Sherrie was effective because her leadership style encouraged participation, making her subordinates feel valued in their work. Tracy was effective because the laissez-faire leadership style is a more flexible style that motivates participation through minimal supervision and liberal opportunities. Linda's case was ineffective because the autocratic style does not motivate participation since all decisions are directions are made unilaterally (Roskoski, n.d.).

4. What type of power does Cathy, the unit manager, possess? What about each of the charge nurses? Give examples from the case study to defend your choices.

As the nurse in charge of the intermediate care unit, Cathy Jones had position or coercive powers brought by her job description and responsibilities as the unit manager. Cathy's position power can also be considered as legitimate power because of her responsibilities within the hospital. Similar to Cathy, the three charge nurses also had coercive powers since they were to make their subordinates identify the reasons for decline because of their positions in the hospital.

5. Describe situations when you apply the different types of power. Use examples from home, school, work, etc.

Legitimate and reward powers are applicable at school and home where parents and teachers have the right to instruct children respectively and reward those with good behaviors. At work places, these powers are applicable when the management provides employee goals and reward the top performing workers. Coercive powers are also applicable at school and work where teachers punish disobedient students and an organization suspends a worker respectively.

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