The triad of empowerment: leadership, environment, and professional traits

Empowerment is defined as "moving decision making down to the lowest level where competent decisions can be made." In the hospital setting, this would most commonly be at the point of direct patient care or staff nurse level; however, this kind of empowerment requires an environment of autonomy where mutual trust and respect are encouraged. The empowerment process requires that staff be prepared to accept and effectively use expanded decision-making responsibilities. The professional accountabilities of the empowered nurse include having a sense of value about their work and willingness to provide the full scope of practice as well as ability to work as equal members of a comprehensive interdisciplinary team. In order to move into a fully empowered position, professional nurses need mentoring, education, awareness of political activism opportunities, and networking skills.