Do ward sisters and charge nurses have the authority to do their job?

It has been increasingly recognised that ward sisters and charge nurses have a crucial role to play in the care of patients. Many of them believe, however, that they are not granted the appropriate authority to fulfil their roles adequately; some of them also claim that they are not paid enough. This article reports on the Nursing Standard Power to Care campaign to improve the status of ward managers. It also presents case studies of the two recipients of last year's Nurse Awards in the ward sisters and charge nurse role category.