Power to Make a Difference

The Power to Make a Difference We cannot em office another, because to take over to do so removes the element of choice (Burkhardt & Nathaniel, 2008, p. 471). Although nurses may not be able to empower forbearings, they can, finished the process of empowerment, enable patients to speak up. Nurses can help patients develop an awareness of areas that need change and jut out the desire to take action. Approaching a patient as an equal partner allows for collaboration and help in communication which is necessary to facilitate the empowerment process.Nurses should remember to avoid imposing personal value on their patients. Sometimes it is difficult for nurses to relinquish control and accept decisions patients make for themselves. Nurses can shift the power to the patient by focusing on the patients self-determined needs. Improving a persons ability to understand and manage his or her own health and disease, negotiate with different cadres of health professionals, and pilot the comp lexities of health is crucial to achieving better health outcomes (Patient empowerment, 2012, p. 50). There are institutional and professional constraints touch nursing and patient empowerment. Nurses need to recognize such barriers and appreciate that not everyone wants to take the risks and assume the responsibility that empowerment demands (Burkhardt & Nathaniel, 2008, p. 488). One barrier to fostering empowerment is a paternalistic attitude causing the patient, to solely, depose on the decisions that healthcare providers make for them. A nurses unwillingness to share decision-making power with the patient can hinder empowerment.Fear of being labeled by staff could also keep patients from asserting their power. sparing factors can have an effect on limitation of resources which can hinder empowerment. Transethnical and spiritual issues do play a role in empowerment. How one thinks and responds to a situation, is based on cultural beliefs and values. To be sensitive to transcul tural issues, one must be self-aware. It is helpful for nurses to be knowledgeable about cultural differences and their importance in interactions with healthcare.A nurse should listen, be open-minded and nonjudgmental about patients values, beliefs, and religious practices in aver to make appropriate care plans. When patients feel accepted, valued and respected, they are more willing to participate in their care and make decisions that are congruent with their values and beliefs. I work in a induction that has created councils that nurses can join. Through the Education, Practice and Operation councils, policies and guidelines of practice can be examined, discussed and changed as necessary. Education in cultural diversity has also been required to help nurses become aware of cultural differences.Administrative rounding and township hall meetings have helped employees with questions and concerns and have helped them to feel as though they have a voice in the decision making proce ss. Because change can be slow, nurses can sometimes feel frustrated, but having an pass through which change can occur brings the sense of empowerment and, therefore, increases job satisfaction. References Burkhardt, M. A. , & Nathaniel, A. K. (2008). Ethics and Issues in modern Nursing (3 ed. ). Clifton Park, NY Thomas Delmar Learning. Patient empowerment who empowers whom?. (2012, August 18). The Lancet, 380, 65