Nurses as Patient Advocates

Nurses as Patient Advocates

Introduction

A nurse has a very difficult role of advocating their patient. They need to make sure they meet the needs of the patient with the best possible care. The definition of defense varies according to who provides the establishment of health care to which they belong. The nurse advocate is in a position of authority and respect, and to confirm the professional obligation of the nurse. According to the research of American Nurses Association (ANA), a nurse has the sole responsibility of promoting, advocating and striving to protect the rights and health of the patient. This shows that the nurse plays a vital role of responsibility to act as an advocate for their patients and assist their patients at times by investigating and intervening when the patient's rights aren't being upheld (Dollinger, 2007).

Discussion

Nursing Education

Nurse educators are not always sure what or how to instruct student nurses in training to defend their patients. The training of nurses includes advocacy issues, but the guidance offered in educational programs is not uniform and the guidance given to them aren't covered properly with all the contingencies (Dollinger, 2007).

Nursing Adjustments

Different nursing settings can lead to certain complications. One patient in ambulatory surgical facilities can present different situations that a person in a health clinic. The defense of a patient in an addiction treatment center can be very different than that of a nursing home for patients requiring monitoring of their medication (Dollinger, 2007).

Motive of the Nurse Advocate

The main motive of a nurse advocate is to inform an support their patients for their rights, represent them in the court or appeal committees and ensure that the law on mental health and patients rights are respected every time (Wood, 2010).

Goals and Objectives

Advance the legal, human and civil involuntary patients by their defense ...