INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this paper is the essential role of a mental health nurse in advocating increase of awareness of stigmatization of individuals with mental health illness among the health care professionals. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” (World Health Organization, 2006). Mental illnesses are characterized by alterations in thinking; mood or behavior (or some combination thereof) associated with significant distress and impaired functioning over an extended period of time (World Health Organization, 2006). The symptoms of mental illness vary from mild to severe, depending on the type of mental
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Advocacy is the cornerstone of nursing – nurses advocate for patients, causes, and the profession (CARE USA, 2001). Nurse advocacy is motivated by moral and ethical principles. They seek to influence policies by pleading or arguing within political, economic and social systems. The aim of advocacy is to balance the relationship between the healthcare system and the patients who are served . Shore, M shares that advocating is a part of evaluating patient 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 (Shore, M. 2004). Advocacy is alleged to be a means of safeguarding good patient care said by (Aranha A.L. et al, 2000). A variety of professionals claim to be best suited for the position, many stating that the role of patient advocate is inherent to their professions (Gordon G, 2002). The position of advocate brings with it certain privileges on the basis of the advocate's presumed insights into the way patients perceive their own interests, namely entitlement and force of input into clinical decision making and increased professional standing (Tenety M, Kiselica M. 2000). There are numerous roles of advocate which have different interpretations of, and applications for (Aranha A.L. et al, …show more content…
et al, 2000). Nurses are medically educated, professional members of the team (Gordon G, 2002). There are specific advocacy roles for mental health workers relating to clinical work from a mentally ill patient and family perspective, participating in the activities of mentally ill patient and family groups and evaluating the development of mentally ill patient groups and family groups together (Aranha A.L. et al, 2000). They tend to spend the most time with hospitalized patients and are therefore more able to assess their needs and aspirations beyond medical needs (Llewellyn P, 2004). In places where care has been shifted from psychiatric hospitals to community services, mental health workers have taken a more active role in protecting consumer rights and raising awareness for improved services. Nurses are obligated to act as an advocate for their patients (Llewellyn P, 2004). Advocacy implies being prepared to be adversarial and this can promote discord with colleagues and within teams (CARE USA, 2001). The advocate may be asked to represent a patient's bizarre or dangerous choices, such as those mentioned already, or to represent the patient in ways that compromise the advocate's personal or professional beliefs. The advocate may try to persuade the patient to do otherwise and if not successful may withdraw from advocacy, but that
Nursing advocacy is a professional obligation and the standard of practice expected by the Ontario College of Nurses (CNO, 2009). The concept of advocacy is enshrined into the code of professional ethics that nurses “must promote the interests of clients in their care” (CNO 2009). To meet this standard the nurse must first ensure a deep understanding of advocacy and how it relates to the nursing profession. Advocacy in nursing is a concept that can be first seen in the early work of nursing theorist Florence Nightingale and her plight to protect the safety of patients through autonomous nursing actions (Goldie, 1987). Although the concept of advocacy had been presented in early nursing theory, the term “advocacy” had not been
Majority of individuals with severe mental health disorder are faced with double challenges. On one hand, they battle with the signs, symptoms, mark and defects associated with the disease. On the other hand, they are faced with stigma, stereotypes, discrimination and prejudice as a result of mental health misconception. Hence, individuals with mental health diseases are deprived quality life opportunities such as good job, stable income, and relationships (Corrigan et al, 2000). There are basically two types of stigma, namely; public and self-stigma. Public stigma as to do with how the general population responds to individuals with mental health illness. While self-stigma is the preconceived notion which mental health patients use against themselves (Corrigan et al, 2000). Evidence show that magnanimous percentage of United State citizens and several European countries all indulge in mental health stigmatization (Phelan et al, 2000; Madianos et 1987). Furthermore, Effective strategies to reduce public stigma are classified in three processes; protest, education and contact (Corrigan & Penn, 1999). Studies show that engaging in mental health education programs led to
Licensed practical nurses (LPN 's) fill an important role in modern health care practices. Their primary job duty is to provide routine care, observe patients’ health, assist doctors and registered nurses, and communicate instructions to patients regarding medication, home-based care, and preventative lifestyle changes (Hill). A Licensed Practical Nurse has various of roles that they have to manage on a day to day basis, such as being an advocate for their patients, an educator, being a counselor, a consultant, researcher, collaborator, and even a manager depending on what kind of work exactly that you do and where. It is the nursing process and critical thinking that separate the LPN from the unlicensed assistive personnel. Judgments are based
Frequently, nurses are confronted with the task of finding the balance between advocating for the patient, and remaining loyal to their hospital or institution (Hanks, 2007). Risks that are associated with patient advocacy are more on the institutional level (Bu & Jezewski, 2007). Risks such as accusations of insubordination, reputation slander, hostile work environment, and loss of job security are among some of the top reasons nurses tend to shy away for patient advocacy (Bu & Jezewski, 2007). Another problem with advocacy is that there isn’t a universal definition as to what being an advocate means, along with inconsistency of interpretations (Bu & Jezewski,
The healthcare system can be difficult for clients to navigate and they are often unsure how to access information which puts them at the mercy of others and can lead to feelings of helplessness (Erlen, 2006). Nurses can provide resources to educate patients when they becomes dependent on a health care provider and no longer feel in control of their own body which can lead to fear, hopelessness, helplessness and loss of control (Cousley et al., 2014). The change in roles individuals face can further increase their stress and feelings of powerlessness (Scanlon & Lee, 2006). According to the CNA code of ethics, nurses are responsible for protecting patients from objective risks that place them in an increased level of vulnerability (Carel, 2009). They can do this by providing the resources necessary for patients to educate themselves and be better able to cope with the health challenges they
When I am older I would love to be a Nurse Practitioner, I enjoy helping people when they are sick and taking care of them. Another reason I want to be a Nurse Practitioner is because my sister is also a Nurse Practitioner.
Patient advocacy involves acting on behalf of patients who are unable to represent themselves, or those who do not wish to represent themselves (Kimble, 2012). When a nurse acts as an advocate for their patients they are able to empower the weak and vulnerable, releasing them from their discomfort and from unnecessary treatments (Kimble, 2012). During my clinical, there was one patient in particular who needed a patient advocate more than ever. The patient G. R., was quite ill at the time, he had no supports, no family or visitors, and was non-verbal. This patient required the judgment of the nurses in his care, as he had no one to speak for him and could literally not speak for himself. Eventually his care became too complex, and he needed to be sent to the Royal University Hospital (RUH), this was quite concerning to the Rosthern staff, as who would be there to care for him, and stand on his behalf. Using Carper’s (1978) “Five Ways of Knowing” I will examine G.
Mrs. Denise Callaway (RN, BSN) is my charge nurse at the hospital in rural Georgia. She is a patient advocate. In her interview, she stated that she is a patient advocate first and foremost. She believes that all nurses, RN?s and LPN?s, have a responsibility to advocate for their patients. She admits that she try to put herself in the patient?s and/or family?s place. She was taught to? do unto others? and she has followed that philosophy throughout her nursing practice. Mrs. Callaway always encourages her staff to see the best in the patients. She never sets in an office. She is always out on the unit helping staff, it does not matter if it is housekeeping, and she is always there to lend a hand when needed. She always includes her patients
A leader is described as a person who guides others and has authority and influence over others. They work to influence others into meeting certain goals. There is no right or wrong definition of a leader and there is no recipe that ensures effective leadership. Successful leaders have a good balance of vision, influence, and power. Leaders gain their authority from their ability to influence others to get the work done; because of this, anyone has the potential to be a leader. (Finkelman. 2012, p15)
Nurses take a holistic approach to the delivery of patient- and family-centered care and, in doing so, the nurse plays several roles to address the different needs of the patient. Advocating for all the patient’s, as well as their caregivers’, needs to be met should always be incorporated into the provision of quality nursing care. (Walker et al., 2015). Applying the concept of advocacy to the delivery of nursing care is a key element of this author’s professional foundation. Consequently, this author will advocate for his patient’s rights to autonomy, privacy, and justice. Likewise, this author will continue to advocate for inclusion of the patient and his or her family in making decisions about the patient’s course of treatment.
What is the central component of advanced practice nurses (APNs) direct clinical practice and patient/families?
In Nursing, there will always be instances where the patient's nurse needs to advocate for their patient. There are numerous reasons why a nurse would advocate for their patient ranging from getting the doctor to change the patient’s orders, helping the patient’s treatment team understand what it is the patient is requiring for the day, to expressing the patient’s last wishes before death. In every situation, the nurse should do what is in the patient’s best interest. Tomajan (2012), “Advocacy skills are the ability to successfully support a cause or interest on one’s own behalf or that of another. Advocacy requires a set of skills that include problem solving, communication, influence, and collaboration”(p. 2). With those skills, the nursing staff will be able to work together to advocate for their patients. Along with those skills, nurses need to keep in mind the three core attributes that are: safeguarding patients’ autonomy; acting on behalf of patients; and championing social justice in the provision of health care. (Bu & Jezewski, 2006)
Saying that you are a registered nurse is a broad statement. Registered nursing is a job that has many aspects. Registered nurses work in many different settings and they carry out many different routines. As a registered nurse you could be exposed to many different opportunities. My goal is to be a registered nurse but, I need to learn a lot. Becoming a being a registered nurse requires a lot of hard work and effort but, if I focus on my goal I will be able to achieve it.
Two accreditations, the Nursing Code of Conduct, as well as Code of Ethics reinforces this testimony within their binding. A nurse’s comprehension and skills are vital forces that can contribute to the power of influence in an ethical matter, during their patient care. This authority roots from the health care team’s dependence on the nurse’s expertise and knowledge. Controversial, the role of the nurse as an advocate is not yet clearly understood to many, “autonomy is the key concept in understanding advocacy, but traditional views of individual autonomy can be argued as being outdated and misguided in nursing” (Cole, 2014). As years go by, along with new developing techniques, a nurse needs to obtain an understanding of ethical principles in order to properly use the power of autonomy (Parker, 2007). Without education and a basic understanding of ethical models, a nurse’s portrayal of autonomy may end in mortality. Put into perspective, if a nurse received discharge papers for a homeless individual with an occurring condition, that requires treatment; it is up to that nurse to decide the circumstance in which to advocate or obey the doctor’s order, knowing this individual has used up their time at the
The definition of advocacy is the act of speaking on the behalf of or in support of another person, place, or thing. In its simplest form it means standing up for what one believes in for both self and others. Nurses may act as an advocate by supporting knowledgeable decisions, by acting as liaisons or by interceding for another individual. The objectives of a nurse as an advocate are to notify, enhance independence, and respect the decision of the patient (“Patient, Subordinate and Professional Advocacy, n.d.). Simply put, the nurse is most often the go-between or mediator between the healthcare system and the patient. Advocacy is mannered by the nurse’s code of ethics. These codes impact the profession across-the-board. While certain codes may vary from country to country, the central principles are created for the relationship between the nurse and the patient.