Professional Responsibilities:
Educating Staff About Client Advocacy
Advocacy
refers to nurses' role in supporting clients by ensuring
that they are properly informed
that their rights are respected
that they are receiving the proper level
of care
Brainpower
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Advocacy important roles of the nurse
Especially when clients are unable to speak or act for themselves
As an advocate the nurse ensures that
the client has the information he needs to make decisions about health care.
be careful to assist clients with making
health care decisions and not direct or control their decisions.
, Nurses must act as advocates
even when they disagree with clients decisions.
Situations in which nurses might need to advocate for clients
1. End of life decisions
2. Access to health care
3. Protection of client privacy
4. Informed consent
5. Substandard practice
The complex health care system puts clients in a
vulnerable position.
Nurses are clients' voice when the
system is not acting in their best interest.
Nurses mediate on the client's behalf when the actions of others are not in the client's best
interest or changes
need to be made in the plan of care.
The nursing profession also has a responsibility to
support and advocate for legislation
promotes public policies that protect clients as consumers and create a safe environment for
their care
Nurses are accountable for their actions even if they are carrying out a provider's prescription
nurse's responsibility to question a prescription if it could harm a client
(incorrect medication dosage, potential adverse interaction with another prescribed medication,
contraindication due to an allergy or medical history)
Essential Components of Advocacy
SKILLS
1. Risk taking
2. Vision