IntroductionNurses play a vital role in a rapidly changing healthcare environment characterized by intensive care patients and a shortage of nurses to meet patient care demands (Ning, Zhong, Libo, and Qiujie , 2009). Therefore, it is important to maintain a good working environment for nurses. Empowerment is seen as an effective method to promote nurse satisfaction (Ning, Zhong, Libo, & Qiujie, 2009). Empowerment, as stated by Wittmann-Price (2004), is “the process of achieving a more positive state of being, a state of relative freedom in choice by first recognizing an affective experience of oppression.” The purpose of this article is to write a narrative about an experience as a student nurse practicing in a clinical setting where we felt oppressed due to class, racial, cultural, or gender biases. This narrative will be analyzed using relevant concepts present in the literature. Narrative My experience occurred when I was in my second year of nursing. We are just starting our clinical rotations at KGH. At that time, our instructors assigned us a patient to perform our nursing care. The goals of the day are to do our own head-to-toe assessments and be able to track our results. Throughout the shift, we have a co-assigned nurse who will help us with our daily duties. I did what I had to do and mapped out accordingly. After the shift ended I thought I had done everything right, until a classmate of mine told me that my nurse had spoken to her stating that I hadn't done a good job and telling her that I didn't know how to graph. After hearing this from my classmate, I said nothing to my clinical instructor and let it slide. I felt embarrassed and ashamed. I thought I couldn't change what happened and I... middle of paper... against the oppressors I have to acknowledge that I am oppressed. I must also learn to change my attitude towards my oppressors and change how I respond and think. Conclusion Empowerment is a vital factor in creating a positive work environment. Nurses who see their work environment as a source of power are more likely to provide quality healthcare. Positive environments are important to the future of nursing development (Ning, Zhong, Libo, & Qiujie, 2009). Nurses should not only have the ability to recognize differences, but they must also have the ability to transform and change structures within the profession to achieve empowerment. To achieve empowerment they must take steps to overcome oppression. They must face their fears and be able to dialogue with their oppressors and let them know that their actions are unacceptable.