Advocacy in Nursing Practice: Upholding the Rights and Safety of Patients

Advocacy is a fundamental tenet of the Code of Ethics for Nurses, emphasizing the nurse’s role in safeguarding patients’ rights, promoting their well-being, and ensuring their safety. This tenet is rooted in the principles of justice, autonomy, and beneficence. Advocacy in nursing practice involves speaking on behalf of patients, supporting their decision-making processes, and intervening when their safety or dignity is compromised. This essay explores the purpose of advocacy in nursing, its application in practice, and its critical role in enhancing patient care and nursing professionalism.

The Purpose of Advocacy in Nursing

Advocacy ensures that patients receive equitable, safe, and person-centered care. Nurses are uniquely positioned to advocate for patients because of their close interactions and comprehensive understanding of patients’ needs. The primary aim of advocacy is to empower patients, particularly those who are vulnerable, marginalized, or unable to represent themselves effectively.

For example, a nurse caring for a patient with a terminal illness might advocate for the patient’s right to discontinue aggressive treatment in favor of palliative care. In such cases, advocacy involves ensuring that the patient’s wishes are communicated clearly to the healthcare team and respected throughout the care process (Taylor, 2017).

Advocacy in Action: Practical Applications

Nursing advocacy can take many forms, including safeguarding patient rights, promoting ethical care, and addressing systemic issues.

1. Protecting Patient Rights
   Nurses often act as intermediaries to ensure patients’ rights are respected. For instance, when a patient with limited English proficiency struggles to understand their treatment options, the nurse advocates for the use of an interpreter. This ensures that the patient has access to accurate information and can make informed decisions (Hodgson, 2016).
2. Intervening in Unsafe Situations
   Advocacy also involves protecting patients from harm. If a nurse observes unsafe medication administration practices, they are ethically obligated to intervene and report the incident. This action aligns with the nurse’s responsibility to prioritize patient safety above all else (American Nurses Association [ANA], 2015).
3. Addressing Social Determinants of Health
   Nurses often encounter patients whose health is adversely affected by socioeconomic factors such as poverty, lack of housing, or food insecurity. Advocacy in this context involves connecting patients with community resources and raising awareness within the healthcare system to address these broader determinants (Watson, 2008).

Why Advocacy is Crucial for Patient Care

Advocacy is integral to patient-centered care, ensuring that patients’ voices are heard and respected. Research highlights that patients who feel supported by their healthcare providers experience improved satisfaction, trust, and adherence to treatment plans (Dignity in Care Campaign, 2020).

Advocacy is particularly vital in complex care scenarios, such as end-of-life decision-making or managing chronic conditions. In such instances, nurses serve as moral agents, balancing clinical evidence with patients’ values and preferences. Advocacy fosters a collaborative care environment, where patients feel empowered to participate actively in their health journey (Hodgson, 2016).

Advocacy as a Professional Responsibility

For nurses, advocacy is both a professional obligation and a marker of ethical practice. Upholding this tenet enhances the nurse’s role as a trusted patient advocate and contributes to a culture of accountability and integrity. Advocacy also strengthens interdisciplinary collaboration, as nurses often mediate between patients, families, and other healthcare professionals to resolve conflicts or clarify treatment goals.

Moreover, advocating for patients enhances nurses’ critical thinking and communication skills. For example, when a nurse identifies a gap in care, they must present evidence-based recommendations to the care team, demonstrating both clinical expertise and a commitment to patient welfare (Taylor, 2017).

Advocacy and Systemic Change

Beyond individual patient interactions, advocacy extends to addressing systemic issues within the healthcare system. Nurses can advocate for policy changes that improve access to care, promote health equity, and reduce disparities. For instance, a nurse might participate in campaigns to expand Medicaid coverage or advocate for workplace safety measures to protect healthcare staff and patients (ANA, 2015).

Challenges in Advocacy

While advocacy is a cornerstone of nursing practice, it is not without challenges. Nurses may encounter resistance from colleagues or face institutional barriers when raising concerns. Additionally, advocating for patients can be emotionally taxing, particularly in high-stakes situations.

To overcome these challenges, nurses must cultivate resilience, seek mentorship, and leverage professional organizations for support. Formal training in communication and conflict resolution can also enhance nurses’ ability to advocate effectively.

Conclusion

Advocacy is a vital tenet of the Code of Ethics for Nurses, reflecting the profession’s commitment to promoting patient rights, safety, and well-being. Through advocacy, nurses empower patients, foster trust, and address systemic barriers to care. Upholding this principle enhances patient outcomes and strengthens the nurse’s role as an ethical and compassionate caregiver. Advocacy is not only a professional responsibility but also a testament to the core values of nursing—compassion, integrity, and justice.

References

American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. Silver Spring, MD: American Nurses Publishing.

Watson, J. (2008). Nursing: The philosophy and science of caring. University Press of Colorado.

Dignity in Care Campaign. (2020). Advocacy in nursing: Protecting patient rights. Retrieved from https://www.dignityincare.org

Taylor, C. (2017). Advocacy in nursing practice: Balancing ethics and action. Journal of Nursing Ethics, 24(4), 278-283. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969733016678390

Hodgson, A. (2016). The ethical imperative of advocacy in nursing. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 72(6), 1405-1412. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.12958