Expectancy theory in nursing - Article Example

 Expectancy theory in nursing Expectancy theory indicates that an individual behave in a certain way due to their motivation to select certain behaviors over others due to their expectations of the desired behaviors (Allen, 2011). It states that the motivation of selecting a certain behavior is determined by a how desirable the outcome would be. However, the determining factor is the cognitive process that affects how individuals process their various elements of motivation. Thus, the expectancy theory is more concerned with the mental processes of a choice that an individual makes.

It explains various processes an individual have to go through to make choices. There are three components of expectancy theory, which are expectancy, valence, and instrumentality. In expectancy, the belief is that the efforts of an individual’s determine their attainment of desired performance and goals. To do so, the individuals have to develop their self-efficacy by assessing whether they have the required skills and knowledge to achieve the desired goals. Goals difficulty occurs when the set goals are set too high or the achievement of the performance expectations are set too hard.

This leads to low expectancy especially when the desired results of an individual are un-attainable according to the beliefs of the individual. An individual may also get the perceived control where they believe that there is some degree of control over their expected outcome. If such individuals believe that the outcome is beyond their perceived outcomes, then their ability to influence is low leading to low motivation. In instrumentality, individuals believe that they will receive a reward if they meet the performance expectations set.

This may be in form of a promotion, salary increment, or recognition. Valence, on the other hand, is the individuals’ beliefs in the reward of certain outcome. It is based on their goals, motivational factors, and values. Expectancy theory is related to nursing management in that it allows the nurse managers to ensure that their employees are well motivated to maximize on their potential. It ensures that the nurse managers come up with policies to ensure that each successful outcome of the nurses’ performance is rewarded.

They ensure that the efforts made by all the nurses will result into attainment of desired goals and objectives (Yoder-Wise, 2014). To do so, the nurses have to have the required belief in their ability to achieve the set goals and ensure that the goals set are not too high for the nurse to achieve. This theory can come in handy to help John in his work as a nurse. First, the nurse managers available should ensure that they increase his motivation to work. They should increase the required confidence in himself to achieve the set goals and objectives of the health care facility.

The nursing fraternity should ensure that they come up with a reward system that allows those successful nurses in their performance to be rewarded. Moreover, he should be in a position to achieve the set goals of the health care facility without much difficulty. He feels as though he is unable to achieve the set objectives since the conditions set for achieving them are too high. However, with adequate motivation, he can maximize on his potential and even find the night shifts exciting. ReferencesAllen, J. E. (2011).

Nursing home administration. New York : Springer Pub.Yoder-Wise, P. S. (2014). Leading and managing in nursing. St. Louis, Mo: Elsevier Mosby.