Starting point for the article is the existing problem concerning power and impairment in nursing. The article describes how this impairment comes into view, and the question is posed whether an increasing space of reflection around each individual nurse can be regarded as a potential for increasing strengthening of nursing. The space of reflection is estimated in the light of the organizational context of nursing being top-down controlled. By means of a top-down and a bottom-up typology a number of strengthening advantages and disadvantages is advanced in relation to the spaces of reflection brought about by each context of control. The stringent conclusion emphasizes the fact that if nursing strengthens the bottom-up space of reflection around each individual nurse it will be a potential for its