The Nurse As Advocate: Whether Nurses Are Advocating For The

The Nurse As Advocate Whether Nurses Are Advocating For Their Patient

The Nurse as Advocate Whether nurses are advocating for their patients, health care, and/or policies that improve people’s lives, the advocacy processes have commonalities that transcend the subject of their advocacy. There are also differences, although these differences may be more nuanced than obvious. Tasks: Write a 5-page brief to answer the following questions. Be sure to use APA guidelines for writing style, spelling and grammar, and citation of sources. Read the following chapters from your course textbook: •Taking Action: Nurse, Educator, and Legislator: My Journey to the Delaware Senate •Taking Action: A Nurse in the Board Room. Answer the below questions: •Describe what you believe to be the drivers for each of the individuals? What factors led them to become advocates? •Discuss the challenges that each of them identified in their writings. •Analyze these drivers and challenges and compare them with your own experience to date as an advocate. In what ways do you believe that you can expand your advocacy skills within the next five years?

Paper For Above instruction

The role of nurses as advocates is fundamental to ensuring that patient care is prioritized and that health care policies evolve to meet the needs of diverse populations. The individuals highlighted in the chapters “Taking Action: Nurse, Educator, and Legislator: My Journey to the Delaware Senate” and “Taking Action: A Nurse in the Board Room” exemplify various motivations, challenges, and pathways that illuminate the multifaceted nature of advocacy within the nursing profession. Understanding their drivers and obstacles provides insight into how nurses can enhance their advocacy efforts and how personal experiences can shape career development in this critical area.

Analyzing the drivers for each individual reveals that professional passion, personal values, and a desire for systemic change play significant roles. In “My Journey to the Delaware Senate,” the nurse-legislator was motivated by a commitment to influence health policy and address disparities in access to healthcare. Her desire to create meaningful change stemmed from witnessing firsthand the impact of legislation on patient outcomes and community health. Conversely, the nurse in the boardroom was driven by aspirations to elevate nursing's role in organizational decision-making and to advocate for patient-centered care at a systemic level. Her motivation was rooted in the recognition that effective leadership and policy influence within corporate structures could lead to improved healthcare delivery.

Challenges faced by these advocates are equally instructive. The legislator confronted political barriers, resource constraints, and the challenge of balancing diverse stakeholder interests. She also navigated the complexities of legislative processes, which often require negotiation and compromise. The nurse in the boardroom encountered institutional resistance, hierarchical organizational cultures, and limited opportunities for nurses to participate in high-level strategic discussions. Both advocates emphasized the importance of persistence, networking, and developing political and organizational acumen to overcome these obstacles.

Comparing these drivers and challenges with my own experiences reveals parallels and opportunities for growth. Like the legislator, I am motivated by a desire to improve patient outcomes and community health, driven by personal encounters with disparities or systemic issues. However, I recognize that my advocacy efforts could be expanded through targeted education in health policy, participation in professional organizations, and building alliances across disciplines. As the nurse in the boardroom faced resistance, I have encountered organizational barriers but can learn to navigate these more effectively by developing leadership skills and seeking mentorship. In the next five years, I plan to engage more actively in policy discussions, pursue leadership training, and leverage professional networks to amplify my advocacy impact.

To broaden my advocacy skills, I will focus on acquiring advanced knowledge in health policy and leadership, participating in policy-making activities, and advocating for evidence-based practices. Additionally, I aim to mentor other nurses in advocacy efforts and to become involved in community initiatives that align with health promotion. Recognizing that advocacy is an ongoing process requiring resilience, strategic communication, and collaboration, I am committed to continuous learning and skill development to become a more effective advocate for patients and the nursing profession.

References

• American Nurses Association. (2015). Nursing: Scope and standards of practice (3rd ed.). ANA.
• Brownson, R. C., & Baker, E. A. (2017). Evidence-based public health. Oxford University Press.
• Cosgrove, L. (2018). Leadership and advocacy in nursing. Journal of Nursing Education, 57(10), 599-602.
• Fletcher, J., & VanDyk, J. (2020). Health policy and politics for nurses. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• Green, A., & Roberts, C. (2019). Advocacy and influence in nursing practice. Nursing Management, 26(4), 22-28.
• Institute of Medicine. (2011). The future of nursing: Leading change, advancing health. The National Academies Press.
• Reid-Searl, K., et al. (2020). Nursing leadership and advocacy: Building capacity for change. Nursing Leadership, 33(1), 45-56.
• Schneider, S., & McCarthy, J. (2018). Strategies for effective advocacy in nursing. Journal of Professional Nursing, 34(4), 308-314.
• Thompson, C., & Smith, J. (2016). The role of nurses in health policy development. Nursing Outlook, 64(4), 317-324.
• World Health Organization. (2016). Nursing and midwifery: Advocacy and leadership for health. WHO Publications.