Glossary

The assumed authority or influence a person holds over others by virtue of the title of his or her position. Power exercised in correlation with the perceived level of a position relative to others in the organization.

The nurse-client relationship is one of unequal power, resulting from clients’ dependence on the services provided by nurses, as well as nurses’ unique knowledge, authority within the healthcare system, access to privileged information about clients, and ability to influence decisions. This power imbalance can place clients in a position of vulnerability and potential abuse if trust in the nurse-client relationship is not respected. It is the nurse’s responsibility to recognize this imbalance of power and to be aware of the potential for clients to feel intimidated and/or dependent.