Today we are going to finish this class with understanding Empowerment.   What is empowerment?  What does that word mean to you?  What does it mean when we use the word, self-empowerment?  When it comes to leadership and management, it is important for the nurse leader to understand the importance of self-empowerment and to support this feeling of competence in others as well .  When we talk about words, we need to understand the terminology used in dealing with power and empowerment.  Power refers to the ability and empowerment refers to feelings, and both of these elements are important and essential to nurse leaders as well as nurse managers (Whitehead, Weiss, & Tappan, 2010).

      Empowerment Ladder:
             1. Self-confidence
                 a. Ability to control life situations
                 b. Refuse to be a victim
                 c. Values self and others
            2. Competent
                a. Ability to do work well
                b. Caring about the quality of work
                c. Enjoying your work
                d. Feeling valued
            3. Becoming Empowered
                a. Show initiative
                b. Resolve conflict
                c. Make decisions
                d. Support and empower others

Your success as a leader not only depends on your self emowerment,but also in providing support to others.

Reference
Whitehead,  D. K., Weiss, S. A., & Tappan, R. M. (2010). (5th ed.). Philiadelphia, PA: F. A. Davis.Essentials of nursing leadership and management