Aims and intended learning outcomes The aim of this article is to encourage nurses to become aware of their personal power, harness it and use it to enable them to develop personally and professionally. After reading this article the nurse should have an understanding of: □ Definitions and theories of 'power', personal power' and 'powerlessness □ Some of the barriers which stand between people and their personal power: fear, anger, gender issues and lack of values clarification □ Actions which can be taken to begin to dismantle these barriers □ Specific means of enhancing personal power on a personal and professional level. The article relates to UKCC PREP category: Patient, clietit and colleague support.