Patients Who Are Ill Depend On Nurses To Help Them Return

Patients Who Are Ill Depend On Nurses To Help Them Return To An Optimu

Patients who are ill depend on nurses to help them return to an optimum healthy state. Utilizing the nursing process allows nurses to take an active role in a patient’s care. According to Oliveira and Tariman (2017), nurses spend more contact hours with the patient than any other member of the healthcare team. Therefore, nurses have an important role as a patient advocate. It is the duty of a nurse to speak up on behalf of a patient to protect their basic rights and safeguard their safety (Oliveira and Tariman, 2017). Advocating for patients may be difficult for some nurses because the patient may want or decline treatment, and it is the nurse’s responsibility to ensure their wishes are respected. Patient advocacy also entails speaking to other members of the healthcare team to maintain the best interests of the patient.

Standing up for patients’ rights, no matter how difficult it is, is a nurse’s responsibility (Grand Canyon University, 2018). Barriers that nurses may encounter include lack of support from administrators, high patient acuity, not using evidence-based practice, lack of assertiveness, or confidence (Oliveira and Tariman, 2017). It is important for nurses to remember that they must practice according to the guidelines set by the nursing practice act of their state and advocate for their patient within their scope and standards of practice. In my experience as a labor and delivery nurse, I have had several opportunities to advocate for my patients. In one instance, I cared for a laboring patient who was very adamant that she did not want an epidural. She preferred to experience labor with minimal interventions. When her physician came to evaluate her, he was upset that she did not have an epidural. He began to try to intimidate and scare her into getting one. There was no medical necessity for it, and she looked at me and started to cry. I verbalized to the physician that she did not want an epidural and assured him that I would respect her wishes, regardless of how inconvenient he felt it was for him, as long as there was no medical contraindication. My patient ultimately delivered without an epidural and was very thankful and appreciative that I helped her stand up for her preferences and not be bullied into an unnecessary procedure.

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The critical role of nurses as patient advocates is fundamental in ensuring patients receive respectful, individualized, and effective care. Nurses occupy a unique position within the healthcare system, characterized by extensive contact and ongoing interaction with patients. This closeness provides a vital opportunity for nurses to observe, understand, and respond to patients' needs, rights, and preferences effectively (Oliveira & Tariman, 2017). As frontline caregivers, nurses serve not only as caregivers but also as advocates who uphold patients’ rights and ensure their safety amid complex medical environments.

Advocacy in nursing is multifaceted, involving protecting patient rights, promoting informed decision-making, and ensuring safe and ethical care practices. However, nurses often encounter barriers that hinder their advocacy efforts, including organizational constraints, high patient acuity, inadequate use of evidence-based practices, and personal factors such as lack of assertiveness or confidence (Oliveira & Tariman, 2017). These obstacles can diminish a nurse’s ability to act decisively in favor of the patient’s best interests. Therefore, it is essential for nurses to remain informed about their legal scope of practice, adhere to the standards outlined in their state’s nursing practice act, and cultivate assertiveness and confidence to effectively advocate for their patients.

Real-world experiences highlight the significance of advocacy. For instance, in labor and delivery nursing, advocating for patient autonomy is particularly critical. Respecting a patient's wishes regarding labor interventions, such as declining an epidural, is an integral aspect of honoring informed consent and promoting patient-centered care. An example involves a patient who firmly declined an epidural despite physician pressure to conform to clinical expectations or preferences. By communicating calmly and assertively, the nurse can support the patient's decision while ensuring safety and respecting autonomy. Such actions reinforce the importance of advocacy in fostering trust, safety, and satisfaction in patient care (Grand Canyon University, 2018).

In conclusion, advocating for patients is a core responsibility of nurses that requires a combination of knowledge, ethical awareness, communication skills, and confidence. Overcoming barriers necessitates ongoing education, supportive organizational culture, and professional development to empower nurses to speak up for their patients effectively. Empowered nurses can significantly influence patient outcomes, satisfaction, and safety by upholding rights and advocating for care that aligns with patients’ values and preferences (Zerwekh & Garneau, 2017). Ultimately, fostering a culture of advocacy within healthcare organizations enhances the quality of care and protects the dignity of every patient entrusted to nurses’ care.

References

• Oliveira, A., & Tariman, J. D. (2017). The role of nurses as patient advocates: A systematic review. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 7(9), 100-108.
• Grand Canyon University. (2018). Fundamentals of nursing. Retrieved from https://www.gcu.edu/fundamentals-of-nursing
• Zerwekh, J., & Garneau, S. (2017). Nursing today: Transition and trends. Saunders.
• Cummings, G. G., Tate, K., Lee, S., Wong, C. A., Paananen, T., Micaroni, S. P., & Stordahl, V. (2018). Leadership styles and outcomes of healthcare professionals: A systematic review. Journal of Nursing Management, 26(7), 769-778.
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