Changing power relationships between nurses: a case‐study of early changes towards patient‐centred nursing

Summary This case‐study provides a description and interpretation of the traditional power relationship between a sister and staff nurses, in an acute general medical ward. The ways in which the nurses changed that power relationship, with the introduction of team nursing are explored. The paper describes, from the sister's and nurses' perspectives, the difficulties associated with the devolution of authority, from sister to team leaders, and the resulting confusion about the new relationship between them. Three themes emerged in the changing power relationships and these are presented and examined.