The CNS and staff empowerment: a case of shifting paradigms

The essence of nursing practice occurs at the bedside. In the midst of shifting health care dynamics, the need for excellence and stability at the bedside remains paramount. Past bureaucratic paradigms, focused on power hoarding and competitiveness, create dysfunctional work conditions in nursing units. Successful nursing administrations are turning to newer paradigms of staff empowerment where values focus on initiative, creativity and perpetual learning in the work place. The CNS has a unique opportunity to contribute to staff empowerment by enhancing staff impact in clinical practice, building staff competence in dynamic situations, revitalizing the meaningfulness of patient care and facilitating intelligent choice alternatives in complex situations.