...intensive care unit (NICU), I had the opportunity to witness the role of a nurse. I have always had an interest in working in the NICU because of the compassion, empathy, and patient advocacy. The relationship between nurses, neonates, and parents of neonates. I have seen nurses be patient advocates for the neonates that have been left behind by their parents; the nurses went the extra mile to take care of those neonates. When I started volunteering, the nurses allowed me to the rock the babies and give them a sense of touch. I have personally seen improvement in babies that needed that sense of touch, it was a great feeling. I also was able to provide a sense of protection to the babies that were lacking comfort. The role of an advocate nurse is to be able to build communicate, trust, educate, support, protect, help, and value the patient (Berman, A., Snyder, S., & Frandsen, G,. 2016. p. 120). The nurse that was taking care of a premature neonate had to make decisions for the neonate because the baby’s mother abandoned him. The nurse became the patient advocate and made sure to provide comfort and care to the neonate as he had no family members. I understood that the nurse plays a vital role in the health care disciplinary team. As a volunteer...
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...outcomes. Advocacy is an obligation of all health care professionals because people come seeking care from diverse environments and not everyone has equal access to appropriate and necessary care, resources and opportunities. Advocacy is both the obligation and the opportunity to assist them in meeting their basic needs. The American Nurses Association defines the practice of nursing as “The protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations.”. The ANA also addresses the importance of patient advocacy in their Code of Ethics (Provision 3): “The nurse promotes, advocates for, and protects the rights, health, and safety of the patient.”....
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...understanding of diagnoses and medications, it is more important than ever that nurses advocate for their patients. Nurses are usually the first and last person a patient interacts with in the hospital or outpatient setting. They are also the person patients have the most contact with during their stay in the hospital and patients tend to express their concerns more openly with nurses then they do with anyone else. It’s up to the nurse to then advocate for the patient...
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...practice remains ambiguous. Nurses are obligated to act as an advocate for their patients, but there is lack of clarity on how to perform this role. The purpose of this paper is to better understand nursing advocacy and to explore ways it is practiced across all fields of nursing in order to promote improved patient care. Advocacy is an essential role for the nursing profession; however, it can be affected by many factors. The goal of advocacy is to balance the relationship between the healthcare system and the patients who are served by evaluating patient/family needs, providing information and education, ensuring access to proper care and supporting the patient and family’s decision within the structure of a multidisciplinary team. This paper will explore the following research question: What are the variables that affect the role of nursing advocacy and in what ways is it practiced across all fields of nursing? Review of Literature Introduction The general topic of the review of literature is nursing advocacy. We are examining and exploring a clearer definition of nursing advocacy and how it is practiced across all fields of nursing. The studies were retrieved through searches on the CINAHL, Medline, AcademicOne, and Sage Premier for the years 2006 - 2011. The key words used for the literature searches were nursing advocacy definition, nurses role, nursing ethics, dignity, code of conduct, barriers, nursing methodology, patient advocate, and...
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...Introduction This has been a long two years that has gone by in a flash. Over the last two years I have grown so much not only educationally but also my understanding of the roles nurses have has improved substantially. There are many roles nurses fill in order to be successful. It is these roles that make a nurse well rounded. There are the roles of being a caregiver, teacher, manager, and advocate. Nursing is an ever-changing field. There are new studies coming out every day that encompass evidence based practice. Nurses must be able to learn and grow as the field of nursing continues to learn and grow. Caregiver The role of the caregiver is the foundation of nursing. Nurses are there to provide care to their patients. Nurses provide care...
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...Accountability of Nursing Professionals for Patient Safety Practices Related to Informed Consent Lavonia Deanne Bishop Grand Canyon University NURS-430V Professional Dynamics 23-Aug-2010 (0106) September 19, 2010 Accountability of Nursing Professionals for Patient Safety Practices Related to Informed Consent Accountability in nursing can be defined as the state in which the nurse is responsible for upholding a professional agreement with the patient to provide services and be held answerable for the outcomes of behaviors related to these services (Hood, 2010). One of the main areas we are held accountable for as professional nurses is the safety of our patients. After an evidence-based review of patient safety practices, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has identified numerous opportunities for quality improvement. The practices identified were rated by strength of evidence, with the highest rated being listed first. This paper will examine practice number five, asking patients to recall and restate what they have been told during the informed consent and the responsibility of the professional nurse in this process. The Informed Consent Process According to Terry (2007) informed medical consent occurs when a patient autonomously and expressly permits a professional to perform a medical act on that patient or include the patient in a research project. Patients are now encouraged to be more informed consumers and take an active part in their own healthcare. Terry (2007)...
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...incorporate sections of assignments done in weeks 8, 9 and 10 starting with week 8: Advocacy involves the process of persuading someone to at least consider one’s point of view. The role of the nurse as an advocate in healthcare policy is not a new one. The many opportunities nurses have to observe firsthand the positives and negatives of the current healthcare system enable them to identify needs and concerns related to the care patients currently receive ( or don’t receive)( Gonzalez, 2012). Some health needs returning veterans and their families might need health care, psychological and family reorientation to life outside of the war zone, gainful employment. How might one advocate for the needs of this population? First, set up a plan which describes the things that you want to advocate for in terms of helping the veteran find organizations and funding for their needs in civilian life. Get in touch with legislators and other resource groups that can help with accomplishing the goals you set. What responsibility must a nurse have to be an advocate? First, she must have expertise in the care of needy populations, be familiar with legislators who would be sympathetic to the cause and be willing to help with the advocacy of the plan presented. Collaborate with peers and other nurses who can assist in the development and presentation of the plan. My choice is the current nursing shortage, what healthcare problem was the policy designed to address: cost, quality, access, or...
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...attainment of a goal, and leadership exists at all levels” (Faugier & Woolnough, 2002). Leadership can further be designated as formal or informal. A formal leader is one that is associated with a particular title or position while informal leaders guide through their ability to influence others. They make a positive contribution or inspire others despite the strains of the healthcare system (Gillis, 2003). Kouzes and Posner have found that for people to follow someone willingly, they must believe the leader is honest, competent, forward-looking, and inspiring (2002). The nursing profession faces many challenges in developing future nurse leaders. All nurses, regardless of roles, from direct care to top management positions, need powerful leadership skills. This is because anyone who is looked to as an authority (such as a nurse taking care of a patient) or who is responsible for giving assistance to others is considered a leader (Mahoney, 2001). Cook describes a clinical nursing leader as one who is involved in direct care and who...
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...In the case study, the nurse is facing ethical as well as professional dilemma regarding the patient’s rights. The nurse’s role in this case study is to, work according to the Maryland state regulations and nursing standards; But as per Maryland nursing standards, she is not working as an advocate for her patient, Mr. E at this situation (Code of Ethics - the Division of State Documents, 10.27.19.02). The patient already signed advanced directive against life saving measures almost seven years ago, at the time of admission to a nursing home, with the help of patient advocate; but Dr G. is planning patient care in opposition to Mr.E’s active advance directive and his expressed objections to the medical care. There are numerous issues to consider in this case study. The nurse has to review her professional role according to code of ethics and nursing standards in relation to advance directives and medical power of attorney. The nurse also has to consider the patient’s right to privacy and confidentiality according to HIPPA Policy. The issues in contemporary healthcare facilities are sometimes the statues can be vague, and issues can be in conflict with own personal beliefs in most areas. A) State Regulations and Nursing Standards of practice There are specific Maryland state regulations and nursing standards regarding patient rights in this case study. However, the most relevant regulation is that, the nurse promotes, advocates for, and strives to protect...
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...soul of nursing practice. We as nurses believe that we hold the patients’ safety and care in our hands, and we do. Many nurses give this advocate role a lot thought, considering looking out for our patients’ well-being is a big part of our daily job. Nurses are at the front lines of care, and we have a good handle on the issues and what the patients need more than other clinicians. Advocating is about standing up for the rights of your patients and firmly defending them even if you personally may not agree. Your personal feelings of preferences are put aside, since health care is about the patient and their needs, not us the caregivers. According to (Sylvan, 2013), Registered Nurses (RN) have a complex role in advocating for patients. The definition of advocacy varies according to who is providing the definition and the health care setting in which she acts. Many ethical, professional and personal issues are involved that require appropriate education, experience and judgment (Sylvan, 2013). Advocacy ranges from activities on behalf of patients, such as hand washing and proper identification before treatments, to arguing that an early discharge will harm her patient's recovery and etc…. Advocacy also means, if a nurse observes a practice or procedure she believes to be wrong, advocating for the patient demands means, she will speak out even if that practice was carried out by her superior. This is not always easy and may have a cost for the nurse because it is like she is stepping...
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...The Nurse As Advocate Michelle Guth Walden University October 9, 2012 Nursing has not always practiced advocacy; rather, it is a relatively new role for nursing emerging in the United States in the 1980s (Hanks, R. 2007). As a professional nurse it is our duty to serve as our patients advocates. They rely on us to do so. Nurses are considered the protector’s of patient’s rights. The American Nurses Association is dedicated to quality nursing and safety of the patients and this comes in the form of advocacy. By creating initiatives that increase awareness both among legislators and the general community, the ANA is able to encourage legislation on vital issues such as safe patient handling and patients' rights. This is how the role of advocate addresses social justice. Championing social justice in the provision of health care is a core attribute of advocacy (Bu, X. & Jezewski M. 2006). The meaning of this core attribute is based on the ethics of justice and reflects the social advocacy model. This model calls for nurses to vigorously make every effort for changes on the behalf of patients, communities and humanity as a whole, so that problems are identified and corrected. Nurses need to be community advocates and be involved in issues related to the health and welfare for people. The strategies we as nurses and professional associations need to do in order to continue to push for change in health care is to promote effective communication and coordination of care. We...
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...what I intend to accomplish is explored. I chose to discuss what the role of an advocate as a professional nurse and which set of skills are required for it. My strengths and the area that is needed to improve are identified. There are two examples of what can reinforce my nursing skills and how the ANA Standards of Professional Performance influences it. It is concluded by my understanding the nursing profession. Professional Role Development My understanding of the nursing practice is more focused on my patients’ safety and doing what is most beneficial to my patient. It is necessary to explore our own personal values deep within ourselves and realize principles that will guide our nursing practice. My philosophy of nursing joins the knowledge of nursing practice with spiritual, interpersonal, and compassionate care which takes into consideration each patients individual dignity. Spirituality is a concern in how we define ourselves as individuals and seek meaning and purpose in this life. It influences how we deal with obstacles and how we relate not only to ourselves, but also to others. Nursing is more than what people just assume, it is more than administering medications; rather it is a model of care and service to others, which is continually evolving. As it is stated in the ANA standards of Professional Performance, “Standard 14. Professional Practice Evaluation: The registered nurse evaluates her or his own nursing practice in relation to professional practice...
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...How can community health nurses apply the strategies of cultural competence to their practice? A nurse can be a part of helping a patient’s cultural preservation in their practice. For example, some people in the Jamaican culture hold nine-day wakes for deceased persons. The wake is a time for respecting and honoring the departed soul. For nine nights, relatives and friends share food and sing hymns, thus saying goodbye to the departed one (). A nurse can advocate for a patient from Jamaican cultural by coordinating with the hospice facility a way for the wake to take place as the Jamaican culture sees fit. A nurse can also apple cultural accommodation into their practice. For example, in Jamaican cultures herbal medicines are popular, and herbal medicine practitioners and balmists, who practice bush medicine, provide treatment for a wide range of ailments. A nurse can advocate for cultural accommodation by working with the health care team to accommodate the use of herbal medicine preferences. Health care team members a nurse can involve with this cultural accommodation may include the Physician, pharmacist, or nutritionist. A nurse can also also apply cultural repatterning into their practice. For example, Jamaica's most popular dish is jerk, a term that describes the process of cooking meats smothered in tongue-searing marinade, and barbecued slowly in an outdoor pit over a fire of pimento...
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...and associations in nursing are critical for generating the energy, flow of ideas, and proactive work needed to maintain a healthy profession that advocates for the needs of its clients and nurses, and the trust of society (Matthews, J.H., 2012). These organizations are helpful to get the nurses together from all around the nation and share ideas, thoughts, congregate, talk among themselves, and advocate for their causes. These organizations make it possible for nurse to advocate for the removal of barriers to the use of advanced practice nurses, to allow them to practice to their full scope of practice across all settings and in all states and also to receive just payment for their services rendered. Such organizations provide webinars, scholarly manuscripts and publish the latest advanced knowledge in a specialty area and/or the profession to help nurses maintain current knowledge of changes in practices and Continued Education with Contact hour credits. Very few policy changes take place without the concerted efforts of many advocates working together to bring about a common goal. Joining a professional nursing organization is an important way to enhance individual advocacy efforts. Nurses in an organized professional association have more resources, and are able to strategize more effectively to bring nursing’s perspective to health policy decision makers than do individual nurses. Professional nursing organizations are able to monitor public policy and offer ways for their members to learn about...
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...Nurses act as a mediator among the healthcare team, clients, and community to facilitate communication and education. Therefore nurses play an essential role in reducing stigmatization and discrimination of people with mental health disorder. Some strategies that a nurse can use to reduce stigma are: demonstrate as a positive influence, provide adequate education, and act as a advocate for the affected population. First of all, everyone should “treat mental illness with dignity, concern, and respect at all time”(Wombie,p46). Nurses should be aware of their own attitudes toward mental illness at all time, no matter at work or at personal life. It is important for nurses to perceive the patient as a whole, rather than the specific illness. Moreover,...
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