Overtand Covert Values
Covertand overt are two approaches applied in different circumstances toachieve specific objectives. Overt activities are open to thescrutiny of the public or the parties involved. Conversely, covertactivities are clandestine. The parties conducting research, or thosewho are primary in a study, have limited access to information. Theyare also oblivious to their observers and their intentions. However,when scholars use overt and covert approaches, they have to abide byvarious ethical considerations to avoid contravening the rights ofthe subjects. During my rotation program in two different hospitals,I experienced the two incongruent approaches.
InNorthwest Hospital, the work environment was highly overt. Theorganizational culture and structure in the hospital expose an internto a myriad of learning procedures. First, the supervisor oriented meto the hospital’s organizational culture founded on openness andteamwork. As a young and ambitious future practitioner, I wasambivalent of the environment I would find in the hospital.Therefore, the help extended by the adept nurses was more thanwelcome. At first, I thought it lay on their personalities. However,after one week I was convinced that it was more of an organizationalculture since such a big team could not harbor correspondentbehavioral attributes.
Secondly,the management openly described the responsibilities and expectationof different professionals at the clinic. The expectations reflectedthe primary objectives, mission, and values of the organization. As astudent working under experienced nurses, I was aware of theexpectations that the management had set for me. I gave feedback onmy progress at particular intervals to aid in monitoring my skills. Ifound the work environment at Northwester conducive for learning. Ibelieve that most of the nurses offered unconditional support becausethey were young and had only practiced for a short period. Therefore,it was likely that they were cognizant of what it felt to work andlearn under another professional.
Conversely,during my OB rotation at St. Joseph Hospital, I encountered a sharplycollocating work environment. The workplace was predominantly covert.During my first few days, I discovered that most of the experiencednurses were reluctant to assist students. Unlike in Northwester whereit was difficult for a visitor to make out the students from theexperienced nurses, a client at St. Josephs would effortlessly detecta learner. The lack of acquaintance on my expectations and guidelinesresulted in waiting for directives from the skilled nurses. The poorlearning environment failed to trigger my inquisitive behavior sinceI sometimes had my sincere questions ignored.
AlthoughI like working with children and caring for mothers, I was always inthe dark since the environment was devoid of outlined expectations.It was sometimes difficult to understand the expected cause ofaction. Sometimes, I resorted to assumptions after makingconsiderations of their effects on my relationship with the othernurses. For the few weeks I was at the hospital, I presume that I didnot gain enough experience under the skilled, yet cold,professionals.
Inconclusion, both overt and covert approaches dominate various workplaces. Although they may reflect attributes of personality at theindividual level, they resonate in the organizational culture inworkplaces. My rotation at Northwester and St. Joseph exposed me tothe two sharply contrasting environments. In a learning environment,I consider the overt approach as the most effective method.