Empowerment in nursing homes: lessons for district nursing?

Abstract

Empowerment in nursing homes is seldom discussed, although patient empowerment is a key policy objective in many countries. This study explored strategies nurses in nursing homes and district nursing may use in order to empower themselves and the nursing home residents. Fourteen nurses from three nursing homes in Norway were observed and interviewed. The main finding was that the nurses where striving for the best outcome for the residents, and used strategies including negotiation and raising awareness to empower residents and each other.