Personal power and the language of possibility: a study of opportunity and potential and its implications for nursing

Abstract

As the health care sector becomes more complex and demanding, nursing in New Zealand faces many opportunities to have its unique contribution recognised and used to its fullest potential. Opportunity for nurses has never been so accessible, yet there are times when nurses do not recognise this. This study uses a critical approach to analyse influences connected to opportunity and identifies a plan of action. The stories as told by four Northland nurses, identified the underlying principle of self-knowledge which, when connected to core values emerged as personal power with the language of possibility. Other factors which enabled opportunity recognition were labelled as: knowing the self, integrating core values from personal and professional qualities, connecting these to an intuitive plan, trusting it because it is value-based, using that plan to form goals and achieve direction. Integrating core values into goal setting enabled people to make choices that would enhance as well as protect their personal development. This study has implications for nurses as they seek out places where they can work well and for health planners to design systems where this can happen.