Advocacy in Nursing Practice: Let's Promote it More

Tags: healthcare leadership healthcare workers mental health Nurse and Burnout patient care

Introduction: A True Story of Advocacy:

A 400 lb patient goes without a suitable commode for over five years until a new nurse starts working for the long-term care facility; within five business days, a new accommodating commode arrives. This is a true story in which advocacy is demonstrated and noted. The patient is treated with dignity and respect in a manner that should have been taken care of on day one of his arrival at the facility.

The Role of Advocacy within Nursing:

Advocacy in nursing refers to supporting and promoting patients' best interests and well-being. Nurses serve as advocates by actively representing and safeguarding their patients' rights, preferences, and needs.

Advocacy is not a one-size-fits-all trait; it comes more naturally to some than others. The availability of resources is not the issue; it's often the challenge of knowing where to look. Enlightening each other about these resources is essential, whether through sharing valuable information or stumbling into it to improve others' situations.

Making research more able and accessible significantly contributes to our aim of improving lives through advocacy. This creditable effort guides those seeking help, others self-directed support, and shares valuable information to benefit others.

Nurses are the unsung heroes of today's society.

Nurses advocating is a part of their care and treatment plans for patients. Knowing how to utilize such services, funding, resources, and organizations is key in delivering such equipment or simply translating information.

Whether in a hospital, long-term care facility, home care, or institution, it is noted that nurses do quite a bit to care for others' loved ones in many capacities. The advocacy of deliverance can be challenging, especially if time restraints don't always allow the nurse to fulfill all duties.

Acknowledgment:

I must acknowledge that advocacy, as illustrated in the example above, is occasionally overlooked, and accomplishing these tasks can be challenging for some. However, the consensus is that advocacy should always be integrated into nursing practice. This integration occurs when we advocate for our patients during conversations with doctors and when we serve as interpreters, conveying crucial information to patients and their families.

Informing families, patients, caregivers, foster parents, guardians, parents, spouses, and so forth of any knowledge is vital, in my opinion, so they can continue to advocate if the nurse falls short or because the huge nurse turnover rate continues therefore unfortunately at times, information might get lost in the shadows of busy.

Not just Nurses:

Families and patients also need to advocate for themselves, especially with the turnover of nurses, as stated above. Sometimes, patients might get lost in the shuffle; ensure that families/patients write down information so they can follow up. This will keep things flowing and ensure that services continue or are accommodated as diseases progress in some cases.

That being said, most nurses take the time to advocate. Knowledge, creativity, and con?dence are essential to delivering what should be second nature to a nurse. Funding, word of mouth, knowing where to reach out, and digging deeper are key elements for success.

Shared Journey of Care:

Advocacy isn't solely vital for the patients and families we care for; it holds equal significance for the well-being of, the nurses. It's a two-way street where our commitment to advocating for patients impacts their lives positively and contributes to our professional and personal fulfillment. By embracing advocacy, we become champions for those under our care and support a sense of purpose and satisfaction in our nursing journey. It's a shared journey of care, where looking out for others also means looking out for us.

The story of the 400 lb patient illustrates nurses' impact when advocating for their patients. Despite obstacles, they persistently make a tangible difference in the lives of those they serve.

Their commitment to advocacy is not just a duty; it's a shared journey of compassion, empathy, and positive change echoing across the healthcare setting.

Conclusion:

In closing, jump in as families, friends, or patients yourselves. Let's look beyond barriers, reaching for the stars. Advocacy brings fulfillment to both the recipient and the caregiver. Remember, obstacles are only obstacles if you allow them to be.