Being a nursing advocate means being proactive in improving patient care and outcomes, promoting health equity, and addressing systemic issues in the healthcare industry.
Nursing advocates also strive to advance the nursing profession. Let's explore why advocacy is so important and how you can be effective as a nurse advocate.
Why is patient advocacy so important?
Advocacy is the act of supporting or defending a cause or a person. In nursing, advocacy often involves speaking up for the best interests of patients.
Patient advocacy is one of the core values and ethical responsibilities of nursing. It means protecting and promoting the rights and interests of patients, especially those who are vulnerable, marginalized, or oppressed.
Nurses are often the first to notice when a patient's needs are not being met or when there are gaps in their care. By advocating for their patients, nurses can help prevent adverse outcomes and ensure that patients receive the care and support they need and deserve. Patient advocacy can involve:
- Providing information and education to patients and their families
- Respecting and supporting patients' decisions and autonomy
- Collaborating and communicating with other healthcare professionals
- Identifying and reporting any ethical, legal, or clinical issues or conflicts
- Challenging discrimination, injustice, or abuse of power
Nurses also act as advocates when they collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as physicians, social workers, and case managers.
Patient advocacy also reaches beyond the individual patient to the population or system level, where nurses can advocate for the health and well-being of groups or communities that share common health needs or concerns. For example, nurses can advocate for the prevention and management of chronic diseases, the promotion of healthy lifestyles, or the protection of the environment.
Nursing advocates also put their knowledge of social determinants of health and health disparities to good use by pushing for policies and programs that tackle these issues so everyone has access to top-notch care.
They also empower other nurses to have a greater say in their work environment and practice, which makes their jobs more satisfying. By creating a more positive and supportive culture, they encourage teamwork and innovation.
How to become an effective nursing advocate
In order to be an effective advocate, nurses need to develop a few key skills. They need to be good critical thinkers and problem solvers, so they can assess different situations and devise smart solutions. They also need to be excellent communicators and negotiators, so they can get convey their message and find common ground.
Cultural competence and diversity awareness are also essential to address the needs of diverse patient populations. And leadership and teamwork skills are important for collaborating with others to achieve common goals. Lastly, political and social acumen is necessary to navigate intricate healthcare systems and advocate for necessary changes.
To build these skills:
- Seek mentorship and networking with other nursing advocates
- Engage in continuing education and professional development
- Participate in professional associations and advocacy groups
- Stay updated on current issues and trends in healthcare policy and nursing
Nursing advocates should also consider building relationships with key stakeholders such as policymakers, healthcare administrators, and community leaders. These relationships are important for influencing policy decisions and advocating for patients and the profession. Some nurse advocates participate in grassroots advocacy efforts at the local, state, and national levels, which can involve joining advocacy coalitions, participating in letter-writing campaigns, and contacting elected officials to voice concerns about healthcare policy issues.
Nurses are in a position to make a positive impact on patients, the profession, and society. It's a huge responsibility, but it's a role that can lead to personal and professional fulfillment for nurses and a better healthcare system for everyone.
Whether you're actively seeking a new role or assessing your next steps, explore Nurse.com's talent marketplace to help match your experience and skills to the best-fitting role.
