From the Guidelines
Nurses can become empowered in the workplace by taking initiative in quality improvement projects, participating in shared governance committees, and pursuing continuing education and specialty certifications, as these strategies enhance clinical expertise, professional credibility, and leadership capabilities. According to a recent study published in the International Journal of Nursing Studies 1, empowering nurses to take a leading role in primary care not only enhances patient safety but also promotes quality of care, resulting in improved overall outcomes. Some key strategies for nurse empowerment include:
- Pursuing continuing education and specialty certifications to enhance clinical expertise and professional credibility, allowing nurses to speak with authority on patient care matters
- Building strong communication skills to advocate effectively for patients and themselves
- Participating in shared governance committees to provide direct input into workplace policies
- Taking initiative in quality improvement projects to demonstrate leadership capabilities and contribute to organizational success
- Joining professional nursing organizations to connect with broader resources and advocacy opportunities
- Setting clear boundaries regarding workload and scheduling to prevent burnout and establish professional respect
- Documenting achievements and maintaining a professional portfolio to provide concrete evidence of contributions during performance reviews
- Practicing self-care through adequate rest, nutrition, and stress management to ensure nurses have the physical and emotional capacity to function at their best, as suggested by a study published in Chest 1. Another study published in Implementation Science 1 found that multi-component educational interventions, including educational meetings, materials, and outreach visits, are highly used in nursing and likely an effective implementation strategy for guideline implementation in nursing. Overall, these empowerment strategies work together to enhance nurses' autonomy, job satisfaction, and ability to deliver excellent patient care while advancing their careers, as supported by a study published in the International Journal of Nursing Studies 1.
From the Research
Empowerment of Nurses in the Workplace
There are several ways in which nurses can become empowered in the workplace. Some of these ways include:
- Having access to organizational empowerment structures, such as access to power, opportunity, support, information, and resources 2
- Experiencing psychological empowerment, which can be achieved through a workplace that promotes empowerment and a psychological belief in one's ability to be empowered 3, 4
- Working in an environment where leaders use empowering behaviors, such as providing autonomy, feedback, and opportunities for growth and development 5
Factors that Influence Empowerment
Several factors can influence the empowerment of nurses, including:
- Structural empowerment, which refers to the presence of organizational structures that support empowerment, such as access to resources and opportunities for professional development 6, 5
- Psychological empowerment, which refers to the nurse's belief in their ability to make a difference and take control of their work environment 3, 4
- Leader empowering behaviors, which can include providing feedback, coaching, and opportunities for growth and development 5
Outcomes of Empowerment
Empowerment of nurses can lead to several positive outcomes, including: