Power andPower and empowerment in nursing: Three theoretical approachesDefinitions and uses of the concept of empowerment are wide-ranging: the term has been used to describe the human existence and development, but also aspects of organization effectiveness and quality. The empowerment ideology is rooted in social action where empowerment was associated with comminity interests and with attempts to increase the power and influence of oppressed groups (such as workers, women and ethnic minorities)....