EMPOWERMENT

EMPOWERMENT

As a future nurse, I believe that my role as empowering agent will be the most helpful to my patients in their life journeys. Self-efficacy has been proven in scientific studies to be a key component of an individual’s success in achieving goals. There are many roles involved in the art and science of nursing, including educator, communicator, advocate, caregiver, consultant, role model, and coordinator of care. These roles all converge to assist the patient in reaching a higher level of understanding of themselves, their situation, their personal values and beliefs, their strengths and limitations, and, most importantly, their potential so that they can make personally satisfying life decisions.

I was fortunate as a child, (although I didn’t necessarily think so at the time), to have parents who instilled in me the belief that I could accomplish anything I set my mind to as long as I was willing to work hard for it. Even so, there have been times in my life when I have felt like I had lost my direction and was floundering. After all, it has been my experience that life rarely goes according to plan. I have learned through the help of human angels along my life path that even failure or uncontrollable life circumstances can be turned around to build an even stronger belief in myself. The faith that I will be able to work through difficult situations and grow spiritually and emotionally as a result is just another form of empowerment.

Many people have little or no inkling of the capabilities they possess. They have not had the personal encouragement, opportunity, or resources to explore their potential, or they have withdrawn in the face of adversity. Nurses are in a unique position to get to know their patients, arm them with knowledge and other resources, and provide moral support and encouragement to build their confidence.

With the enthusiasm and dedication of a younger person combined with the experience, knowledge, intuition, and skills of a much older woman, I am in a unique position to help others understand and harness the powers they hold within themselves.