Power, Politics, and Nursing in the United Kingdom

Abstract

British politics have undergone a dramatic change as new types of political organizations have emerged in the United Kingdom (UK) and the European Union (EU), yet rarely do nurses receive a mention; they face constant difficulties placing their work on the political agenda. In comparison to the United States, UK nurses are the poor relations when it comes to politics and policy. Knowledge of the political system is vital if nurses are to be effective in influencing policy and the allocation of resources. Many UK nurses are uncomfortable with the idea of politics, seeing it as a distraction from their core purpose of care delivery, but politics affects every aspect of nursing at a macro and micro level. This article focuses on the experience of nurses in the United Kingdom with regard to power, politics, and nursing, examining the positive and negative effects of politics and how politics influences care and practice.