The meaning of empowerment within Italian nursing care settings

Abstract

Aim: To examine the current state of empowerment of nurses in Italy.

Background: Empowerment is a broad concept that is also relevant to the field of nursing practice. Its comprehension and use are important because empowerment allows nurses to take control of their own practice. A clear understanding of empowerment is necessary for nurses to take advantage of this important tool.

Design: Focus groups were conducted.

Methods: A literature review was performed, and two focus groups were selected between January and February 2014.

Results: Sixteen nurses participated in the research. Empowerment is seen as being strongly connected to autonomy and is not associated with power, as the word itself suggests. Italian nurses define empowerment as the creation of conditions that help to establish the possibility for people to develop and express their value and potential.

Conclusions: Empowerment is defined as a condition in which the individual nurse takes control of his/her own practice and thereby provides awareness and confidence to a group.

Implications for nursing management: Italian nurses need to feel appreciated and supported by their own organisations. If warranted, empowerment would allow them to contribute to enhance care, which is the core of the nursing profession.

Keywords: autonomy; concept analysis; empowerment; leadership; nursing.