Irish nurses' and midwives' understanding and experiences of empowerment.
OBJECTIVE
This study explored conceptualizations of empowerment among Irish nurses and midwives.


BACKGROUND
Current literature on the meaning of empowerment lacks consensus. As a result there is a likelihood that empowerment will be conceptualized differently between managers and subordinates.


METHODS
In order to get a sense of how Irish practitioners viewed empowerment, 10 focus groups were held in locations throughout Ireland (n = 93). A national distribution of participants was obtained.


RESULTS
Twenty-one different responses emerged representing what nurses and midwives understood by the term empowerment. In relation to experiences of empowerment, six themes were found to impact on empowerment experiences. Three themes emerged as central to empowerment. One theme (education for practice) was identified as an antecedent to empowerment.


CONCLUSIONS
Empowerment is a complex concept and its meaning is contextually determined. Managers play a key role in impacting on the empowerment perceptions of Irish nurses and midwives.
Corbally
Melissa Ann
MA
School of Nursing, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland. melissa.corbally@dcu.ie
Scott
P Anne
PA
Matthews
Anne
A
Gabhann
Liam Mac
LM
Murphy
Catriona
C
D001242:Assertiveness; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007494:Ireland; D016294:Models, Nursing; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009718:Nurse Administrators / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D009721:Nurse Midwives / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology*; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D015279:Organizational Culture; D011209:Power, Psychological; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support; D017132:Workplace / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology