{"id":5444,"date":"2022-09-13T19:47:53","date_gmt":"2022-09-13T19:47:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/?p=5444"},"modified":"2022-12-08T18:16:31","modified_gmt":"2022-12-08T18:16:31","slug":"the-nurse-as-patient-advocate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/career-resources\/the-nurse-as-patient-advocate\/","title":{"rendered":"The Nurse as Patient Advocate"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nurses are natural protectors of their patients, many of whom come into contact with the healthcare system during the most vulnerable, confusing and fearful times of their lives. In a world where the patient’s voice can get lost in the noise, nurses empower patients to ask questions and demand answers. In certain circumstances, nurses also serve as the voice of their patients and speak on their behalf.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nurses have firsthand, inside knowledge of the medical system, which most patients and their families lack. Patients trust their nurse to be an ally and someone who advocates for their best interest, even if the patient isn\u2019t entirely sure what that is. Because of the extensive training and experience nurses have, they can campaign for what\u2019s best for a patient. This advocacy extends beyond individual patients to advocating for the profession as a whole, improving the circumstances for the future nursing workforce.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is Nurse Advocacy?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Of the many definitions of an advocate in Merriam-Webster\u2019s dictionary, the one almost every nurse can relate to is \u201cone who pleads the cause of another.\u201d <\/span>Pleading the case of a patient naturally comes with nursing.<\/span><\/p>\n

If a patient’s language abilities, level of education or cultural differences make that individual vulnerable to misunderstanding their disease or plan of care, that patient needs an advocate. Nurses act at the bedside daily as advocates, helping to translate both literally and figuratively for patients learning a new medical language or who may not fully understand the situation in which they find themselves.<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, when a patient in severe pain feels the doctor doesn’t understand how much pain they’re experiencing, their nurse can step in to advocate on their behalf. Nurses advocate for patients by using terminology and citing evidence similar to how lawyers may build their cases in court. It\u2019s harder for a physician to dismiss a well-laid-out argument by a fellow healthcare professional versus a patient who may only know they\u2019re uncomfortable and hurting. Another example would be a nurse case manager advocating for a patient and their family when finding appropriate community-based care after discharge.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Growing Advocacy Field<\/b><\/h3>\n

Nurses’ advocacy on behalf of patients’ well-being stretches back to Lillian Wald’s <\/span>Henry Street Settlement<\/span><\/a> and its rich history of public health-minded nurses advocating for the well-being of entire communities at the population health level.<\/span><\/p>\n

The National Association of Healthcare Advocacy provides support, education and mentorship for professional healthcare advocates. It aims to empower, educate and collaborate to improve patient care.<\/span><\/p>\n

Postings on nursing job boards advertise official positions for RN Patient Advocates, and entrepreneurial nurses have launched small businesses offering private advocacy services. Unfortunately, patients usually pay for these services out of pocket and they\u2019re only accessible to those with the means to pay for them. However, advocacy groups offer their services without charge, like cancer patients who\u2019ve completed treatment and choose to assist newly diagnosed patients in navigating their initial treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Skills Do Nurse Advocates Have?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Nurse advocacy hinges on several skills that are key to the success of nursing care. Nurses learn some of these skills during nursing education, but they enhance and strengthen their advocacy skills throughout their careers.<\/span><\/p>\n