Patients and nurses: a powerful force

Quality of care is of paramount importance to both patients and nurses. This article examines how the existing patient/nurse partnership is the result of a variety of clinical, political, and organisational power paradigm shifts over time. The significance of this partnership on the quality of care, particularly in terms of the necessary power base required, is then considered. Next the education, health care systems, and diversity issues found in the UK and the US are compared and contrasted. The conclusion focuses on a transatlantic vision for the future in the consolidation of the patient/nurse transaction for the achievement of negotiated, competent, compassionate care and as a continuing force for quality at policy, strategic, and operational levels.