The Ethical Nurse by Mary Ann Siciliano McLaughlin Ed.D., RN

Empowerment is defined as "the authority or power given to someone to do something" (www.dictionary.com).   Empowerment in nursing can involve the empowerment of patients.  We, as nurses, can teach our patients to be empowered in their care.  Nurses teach patients that they have the ability to direct their health and be in charge of their path within the healthcare system.  The patients must be told that they have this authority or power to do something.  For example, a patient with CHF can be empowered to manage their disease and employ the use of self care modalities, such as the maintenance of a fluid restriction and the performance of daily weights as part of their CHF care.  However, I do not see empowerment just as patient empowerment.   Rather, I see student empowerment as encompassing acting prudently in the clinical areas, as well as, the ability to make good choices as students and then as future professional nurses.     The s...

Communication , as a pillar of professionalism, needs to be taught to students by example. The example of good communication will be evident through interactions that the students witness between faculty and staff, faculty and administration, faculty and students, and faculty and patients. Essential avenues of communication include verbal means, written means, and nonverbal communication, in both the clinical arena and in the classroom. I feel as if this teaching by example is so crucial for students.  Students watch our actions and interactions with the people with whom we work (such as other faculty, staff, and administration), with whom we interact (such as patients and students), and for whom we care (such as patients in the clinical setting).   If we, as faculty, demonstrate poor communication, both verbal and nonverbal, to our students then students may feel as if they have license to communicate poorly as well.   I am not saying t...