10 Key Examples of Effective Patient Advocacy in Nursing
Written By:
Darby Faubion
Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA
Darby Faubion is a nurse and allied health instructor with over 20 years of clinical experience. Darby lives in Louisiana and loves exploring the state’s rich culture and history. Darby has a passion for caring for veterans and a special interest in those affected by post-traumatic stress disorder. In her quest to make a difference for veterans, she founded a non-profit called “Operation Battle Buddy.” Read Full Bio »» RN, BSN, MBA
Nursing is an amazing career with endless opportunities to impact others. One of the most important things nurses do, something that is often overlooked, is advocating for patients. Patient advocacy involves much more than talking to a doctor on your patient's behalf or ensuring medicine is administered on time. Patient advocacy can significantly impact patient outcomes. Maybe you want to make a difference in your patients' lives and wonder, "What are the key examples of effective patient advocacy in nursing?”
If so, this article will give you more insight. As you continue reading, I will share with you 10 key examples of effective patient advocacy in nursing and why they are so important.
What Are The Key Examples Of Effective Patient Advocacy In Nursing?
(The following are the 10 key examples of effective patient advocacy in nursing.)
EXAMPLE #1: Supporting Patient Autonomy
One of the easiest and most important things we can do to promote effective patient advocacy in nursing is to support our patient's right to make independent choices about their care. When patients feel their wants and needs are important and are comfortable communicating what they expect from their healthcare providers and treatment plans, it helps them feel more in control. When we support a patient's right to make decisions about their care and respect their wishes, it leads to better nurse-patient relationships, increasing the likelihood of compliance with treatment and improving patient outcomes.
EXAMPLE #2: Participating in Interdisciplinary Collaboration
When I taught level one nursing, I always asked students why they wanted to become nurses. I remember one of my students said she wanted to be a registered nurse so she could "be in charge" and make the decisions for what goes on with her patients. While RNs make important decisions and may have positions of authority or leadership, we must understand that good nursing and effective patient care require teamwork.
When we collaborate with the interdisciplinary team, we gain insight from different specialties and people with various experience levels. By tapping into those resources, we can make more informed decisions, promoting the best interest of our patients, which is what effective patient advocacy in nursing is all about.
EXAMPLE #3: Promoting a Safe Care Environment
Ensuring a safe environment where patients can receive care is every nurse's responsibility, and it is a critical aspect of demonstrating patient advocacy in nursing. Promoting a safe environment reduces the risk of errors and harm, which could be detrimental to your patient's health, and helps patients feel more at ease discussing health issues or concerns. A safe care environment is essential when caring for vulnerable or at-risk populations.
For instance, I remember working the night shift in an emergency department years ago. A young woman came in accompanied by her spouse. The man told the triage nurse that his wife slipped down the stairs and hit her head. The patient barely spoke or even answered questions. Sensing that she may be afraid or feel threatened by her spouse's presence, we asked the man to step outside so we could help her get changed into a hospital gown and ready for x-rays. Once the patient was alone with nursing staff, she disclosed that her injuries were not the result of a fall but that they occurred from an altercation with her husband. Because of quick-thinking nurses, our team was able to create an environment where the patient felt safe, which meant she received the care she needed. Per her request, it also allowed us to contact the legal authorities because she felt safe doing so.
EXAMPLE #4: Educating Patients and Their Caregivers
If you have read any articles I have written or know me personally, you know that I believe knowledge is power. One way we can demonstrate effective patient advocacy in nursing is to educate our patients and their families or caregivers. Educating patients about their diagnoses, recommended treatment plans, and expected outcomes gives them a sense of control, as they can make informed decisions about their care. In fact, educating patients is one way we respect and promote patient rights, as outlined in the
Patient Bill of Rights. According to the Bill, patients have the right “To receive complete information about diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis from the physician, in terms that are easily understood. If it is medically inadvisable to give such information to you, it will be given to a legally authorized representative."
EXAMPLE #5: Demonstrating Cultural Competence
Effective patient advocacy in nursing involves providing care that respects patients' diverse cultural beliefs and needs. Demonstrating
cultural competence in nursing means providing care that respects the values and beliefs of others, even if our beliefs differ from theirs. Culturally competent nurses recognize patient differences and can offer personalized care aligned with each patient's needs, preferences, and beliefs.
EXAMPLE #6: Being Committed to Lifelong Learning
Healthcare is a field with an ever-changing landscape, and to be effective in our jobs, we must be willing to grow and learn. One of the ways to demonstrate effective patient advocacy in nursing is to commit to lifelong learning. Nurses who stay abreast of current trends in care, follow changes in disease and illness patterns, and get involved in learning opportunities are more likely to be actively involved in patient care and suggest effective ways to address patient needs.
EXAMPLE #7: Get Involved in Policymaking
As a nurse, you can provide a unique perspective when introducing or promoting healthcare policies. By becoming
involved in policymaking, you will be at the forefront of patient advocacy and healthcare reform. If you like the idea of promoting changes in healthcare services and care quality but do not like the idea of being involved in the government, you can still be active in policymaking and help advocate for patients.
For example, you can organize community events focused on health education or write letters to state representatives about issues you believe are important and that impact patient care. If you like the idea of being involved in the government on some level, you could run for a local, state, or national office or get involved in political campaigns supporting candidates whose values align with yours.
EXAMPLE #8: Advocate to Get Necessary Resources
I don’t know about you, but one thing that frustrates me when it comes to providing patient care is not having the right kind or adequate number of resources. Imagine being a patient needing care and your nurse or doctor not having the tools or other resources to provide care for you. We can show effective advocacy in nursing by working to ensure our hospitals, clinics, or healthcare facilities have the necessary supplies on hand. Also, we can advocate to ensure resources are available so patients can access equipment and services, even if they receive care in their homes.
EXAMPLE #9: Checking for Errors
There is more to patient care than giving medications or changing a wound dressing. As my grandfather used to say, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!" That statement is true when it comes to advocacy in nursing.
Although mistakes can happen, we can help reduce the risks associated with errors by double-checking our work, verifying orders, and correcting any mistakes as soon as we find them. Checking for errors and preventing mistakes is one of the most important ways to demonstrate effective patient advocacy in nursing.
EXAMPLE #10: Demonstrating Professional Nursing Behaviors
As a nurse and healthcare educator, I cannot stress enough the importance of modeling professional nursing conduct. Demonstrating compassion, empathy, and professionalism in nursing is an excellent way to advocate for patients. By being compassionate and empathetic, we consider how our patients feel in specific situations and judge based on our knowledge, skills, and what we believe is in their best interests. Keeping a professional attitude and approach to care helps us to stay focused on what is important, making us effective advocates in promoting positive patient outcomes.
My Final Thoughts
Patient advocacy is a key component of quality patient care. When we advocate for patients, we ensure they receive respectful, individualized care with a holistic approach to their needs. If you are a nurse who wants to make a difference for your patients, you may wonder, “What are the key examples of effective patient advocacy in nursing?”
I answered that question in this article by sharing 10 key examples of effective patient advocacy in nursing. Although every patient is different and has needs specific to their individual diagnoses, values, or beliefs, you can still be an effective advocate for each patient in your care. The thing I recommend most is to be true to yourself and what you know is right and ethical in nursing care. Then, promote your patient's rights as you pursue ways to advocate for them. You can truly make a difference for your patients!
List Of Sources Used For This Article
1.
“Patient Bill of Rights” (
National Institutes of Health)
2.
“What Is Cultural Competence in Nursing? (with Examples, Importance, & Barriers)” (
nursingprocess.org)
3.
“11 Most Common Ways Nurses Can Get Involved in Policymaking” (
nursingprocess.org)
Darby Faubion, RN, BSN, MBA
Darby Faubion is a nurse and allied health instructor with over 20 years of clinical experience. Her work history includes clinical experience in pediatrics, mental health, addiction and behavioral disorders, geriatrics, wound management, and communicable disease. Darby has worked in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health and hospice agencies. Darby also has experience as a nursing and allied health educator at both community college and university levels. Her love for nursing and nursing education led to her becoming a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach.