Nurse Counseling: Becoming a Change Agent

Nursing advocates also strive to advance the nursing career. Let’s have a look at why advocacy is so vital and the way you’ll be able to be an efficient nursing advocate.

Why is defending patients’ rights so vital?

Advocacy is the act of supporting or defending a cause or person. In nursing, advocacy often involves speaking on behalf of one of the best interests of patients.

Patient advocacy is considered one of the core values ​​and ethical obligations of nursing. It means protecting and promoting the rights and interests of patients, especially those that are vulnerable, marginalized, or oppressed.

Nurses are sometimes the primary to note when a patient’s needs will not be being met or when there are gaps of their care. By advocating for his or her patients, nurses may help prevent opposed outcomes and ensure patients receive the care and support they need and deserve. Patient advocacy can include:

• Providing information and education to patients and their families
• Respecting and supporting patients’ decisions and autonomy
• Collaboration and communication with other healthcare professionals
• Identifying and reporting any ethical, legal or clinical issues or conflicts
• Combating discrimination, injustice or abuse of power

Nurses also act as advocates after they work with other health care professionals equivalent to physicians, social employees, and care managers.

Patient advocacy also extends beyond the person 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 treatment of chronic diseases, the promotion of healthy lifestyles, or the protection of the environment.

Nursing advocates also use their knowledge of the social determinants of health and health care inequities to advocate for policies and programs that address these issues so that everybody has access to the very best quality care.

They also enable other nurses to have a greater impact on their work environment and practice, which makes their work more rewarding. By making a more positive and supportive culture, they encourage teamwork and innovation.

How to Become an Effective Nursing Advocate

To be an efficient advocate, nurses must develop several key skills. They must find a way to think critically and solve problems to find a way to evaluate different situations and develop intelligent solutions. They must even be excellent communicators and negotiators to find a way to convey their message and find common ground.

Cultural competence and variety awareness are also essential to fulfill the needs of diverse patient populations. Leadership and teamwork skills are vital for working with others to realize common goals. Finally, political and social acumen are required to navigate complex health care systems and advocate for essential changes.

To develop these skills:

• Seek mentorship and networking with other nursing advocates
• Engage in continuing education and skilled development
• Get involved in skilled associations and advocacy groups
• Stay up thus far with current issues and trends in healthcare policy and nursing

Nursing advocates must also consider constructing relationships with key stakeholders, equivalent to policymakers, health care administrators, and community leaders. These relationships are vital for influencing policy decisions and advocating for patients and the career. Some nursing advocates take part in grassroots advocacy efforts on the local, state, and national levels, which can include joining advocacy coalitions, participating in letter-writing campaigns, and contacting elected officials to specific concerns about health care policy issues.

Nurses are capable of make a positive impact on patients, the career and society. It’s an enormous responsibility, however it’s a job that may lead to non-public and skilled success for nurses and a greater health care system for all.