What does patient advocacy in nursing involve?

Patient advocacy in nursing fundamentally involves supporting and promoting the best interests and welfare of the patient. This encompasses a range of responsibilities, including ensuring that patients have access to the information they need to make informed decisions about their care, representing the patient's views and needs within the healthcare system, and safeguarding their rights and dignity.

Effective patient advocacy requires nurses to listen to their patients, understand their needs, and communicate those needs to other healthcare professionals. This may involve intervening on behalf of the patient to ensure they receive appropriate treatment, understanding their wishes regarding care options, or helping them navigate complex healthcare systems. By acting as an advocate, nurses play a vital role in enhancing patient safety and quality of care, contributing to better health outcomes and overall patient satisfaction.

While informing patients about health insurance options, managing healthcare staff schedules, and collecting patient feedback may be parts of a nurse's broader responsibilities, they do not encapsulate the essence of patient advocacy. Advocacy specifically focuses on the relational and supportive aspects of ensuring a patient's voice is heard and their rights are upheld in the context of their healthcare experience.