Advocacy
What examples of advocacy do you see in your own nursing practice? List and discuss 2 examples.
Submission Instructions:
- Your initial post should be at least 500 words, formatted and cited in current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources. Your initial post is worth 8 points
Advocacy in Nursing Practice
Advocacy is a cornerstone of nursing practice, reflecting the profession’s commitment to patient-centered care, ethical responsibility, and social justice. According to the American Nurses Association (ANA), advocacy involves “the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal,” particularly concerning patient rights, access to care, and health equity (ANA, 2015). Nurses advocate for their patients by ensuring their voices are heard, protecting their rights, and promoting safety, dignity, and respect. In my nursing practice, advocacy manifests in various forms, including advocating for vulnerable patients who are unable to speak for themselves and addressing systemic issues that hinder access to quality care. Below are two specific examples of advocacy I have encountered in my own practice.
1. Advocacy for a Non-Verbal Elderly Patient
One notable instance of advocacy occurred when I cared for an elderly patient with advanced dementia who was non-verbal and resided in a long-term care facility. The patient had been showing signs of discomfort, such as grimacing and restlessness, but these symptoms were initially dismissed by some staff as typical behavior for dementia patients. As the primary nurse, I recognized that these signs could indicate untreated pain or another underlying issue. I conducted a thorough assessment, reviewed the patient’s history, and documented my findings. I also contacted the attending physician to request further evaluation and pain management interventions.
Despite initial resistance, I persisted in advocating for the patient by presenting objective data and enlisting the support of the interdisciplinary team. Eventually, the patient was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection and received appropriate treatment. This example highlights how nurses serve as advocates by recognizing subtle clinical signs, speaking up on behalf of vulnerable patients, and ensuring that their health concerns are addressed, even when they cannot express them verbally.
This aligns with research that emphasizes the nurse’s role in advocating for the pain management needs of cognitively impaired patients, ensuring that behavioral indicators are not overlooked (Horgas & Elliott, 2020). Advocacy in this context requires both clinical competence and the moral courage to challenge assumptions and advocate for further investigation and treatment.
2. Advocacy for Equitable Access to Care
Another example of advocacy in my practice involved working in a community health clinic that served uninsured and underinsured populations. Many patients faced language barriers, limited health literacy, and socioeconomic challenges that impeded their ability to access timely and comprehensive care. I observed that some patients were missing appointments due to transportation issues or were unable to afford prescribed medications.
To address this, I collaborated with a team of nurses and social workers to create a resource guide that connected patients with free or low-cost transportation services, community pharmacies with sliding-scale pricing, and translation services. Additionally, we lobbied for extended clinic hours to accommodate working patients. This systemic advocacy not only improved patient adherence and outcomes but also promoted health equity.
According to Bu and Wu (2020), nurse advocacy extends beyond individual patient care to include influencing organizational and policy changes that improve population health. By identifying barriers to care and taking proactive steps to remove them, nurses can advocate for systemic improvements that benefit entire communities.
Conclusion
Advocacy is a vital function of the nursing role that spans individual, organizational, and societal levels. Whether advocating for a non-verbal patient to receive proper pain management or addressing systemic barriers that prevent access to care, nurses play a critical role in promoting patient well-being and health equity. These examples illustrate the importance of vigilance, persistence, and collaboration in effective nursing advocacy. By embracing this role, nurses uphold their ethical responsibilities and contribute to a more just and compassionate healthcare system.
References
American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. ANA.
Bu, X., & Wu, Y. (2020). Development of a nurse-led model of care to improve health equity and reduce disparities in community settings. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 76(7), 1618–1626. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.14353
Horgas, A. L., & Elliott, A. F. (2020). Pain assessment and management in persons with dementia. Nursing Clinics of North America, 55(2), 239–254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cnur.2020.01.005
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