• Irene M Piazza, Moreen Donahue, Patricia C Dykes, Mary Quinn Griffin, and Joyce J Fitzpatrick.
• Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist, Greenwich Hospital, Greenwich, Conn, USA. irenep@greenhosp.org
• J Nurs Adm. 2006 May 1;36(5):277-83.

ObjectiveTo examine the difference in perceptions of empowerment between nurses who were nationally certified and those who were not.BackgroundNurses are encouraged to obtain certification in their specialty. The focus of most nursing research on certification has been on motivation to acquire certification and perceived benefits of certification. Research related to empowerment indicates that access to empowerment structures results in achievement and success.MethodsThis descriptive comparative study used the Conditions of Work Effectiveness II Questionnaire to measure registered nurses' perceptions of empowerment. Certification status was recorded on the demographic section of the questionnaire.ResultsSignificant differences were noted in empowerment scores for certified and noncertified nurses as measured by the Conditions of Work Effectiveness II Questionnaire. Findings suggest that nurses who are certified have higher perceptions of empowerment. Certification may increase nurses' perceptions of empowerment and therefore improve work effectiveness.ConclusionCertified nurses in this study had increased access to job-related power and opportunity structures. Certification provides recognition of the nurses' knowledge and expertise in the specialty area which in turn is empowering. Organizations that support and recognize this achievement may experience improved turnover and retention rates.

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