Mayo Clinic Analysis - Essay Example

It is also evident that unlike in the health care industry where nurses have the political power to communicate with the law makers to divert resources for the expansion of community based centers, bar attendants have no such political powers and mostly depend on trade unions to fight for their plight (Berry and Seltman, 2008).

. The clinic has been in operation for more than a century according to Berry and Seltman (2008). This is also one of the best-managed health care organizations. Some of its success stories are derived from the political powers at the institution according to Berry and Seltman (2008).

1. What are the varied political powers in a health care organization?

Politics and power are natural in every type of organizations or entity. Institutional performances hinges on the political framework of an institution, and those who holds the power within the institution. Influences are usually exerted on people with this power and are usually linked to the primary vision and vision of the institution (Berry and Seltman, 2008).

Political ideas, health care and economy sometimes act as heralds to antagonism. Power promotes the influences health care organizations experiences, and this is usually derived from the organizational structure and the persons involved in the organization. Generally, political games in an organization are a creation of actions taken out of bounds (Power and Politics (n.d)).

Berry and Seltman (2008) notes that the success of nursing is dependent on application of politics and power. Nurses must be linked to the entire organization and beyond. Advocacy regarding access to quality care is the driving force behind politics in nursing care. The varied political powers within health care organization as witnessed at Mayo clinic include:

Politics in workplace

Political action at health care organization involves nurses in defining the clinic’s philosophy and mission and demanding the resources required (Power and Politics (n.d)).

Power politics is also being used in advocating for nurses within Mayo clinic, for competing for the limited resources and exerting influence of decision-making.

Politics in Government

Nurses at Mayo clinics are charged with the responsibility of educating and communicating with the lawmakers as a way of getting resources diverted to community based services that promote greater availability and access to care (Power and Politics (n.d)).

Nurses and doctors are also required to establish standards of care and advocate for persons lacking access to proper care.

Politics in financing

The political power of health care financing determines people who qualify for care by nurses and where the care will be administered. The ability of nurses to provide a cost effective, quality care is also viewed as a political tool enabling nurses to gain power to influence the health care, as is the case at Mayo Clinic (Berry and Seltman 2008).

1. What are the various ways in which people acquire power?

It is widely acknowledged fact that every individual in one way or the other love power. This is mainly because power is equated to survival. The following are the ways in which people acquire power:

Wealth

Generally, individuals who posses what others need find themselves with a lot of power than they can cope with. This is because owning a lot of wealth enables one to insert a lot of influence on others (Pfeffer, 2010).

Power base on position

This is the type of power acquired by many people in an organization. For instance, a manager acquires power because of the job title. Despite the fact that it originates from the territory, one still needs to work for it (Pfeffer, 2010).

Power based of fear

Individuals who like punishing others based on their position acquire a lot of power. This is because they insert a lot of fear on others whom they control (Pfeffer, 2010).

Power based on admiration.

People who are admired by others usually acquire power especially the celebrities. Certain celebrities acquire power because many people admire them.  

Power based on what one know

This is argued to be the best way for an individual to acquire power. An individual who knows how things operate and resolve them is generally a very powerful person. Surgeons, for instance, acquire this form of power by saving the lives of dying patients (Pfeffer, 2010).