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Health promotions nurses can implement
Patient rights and responsibilities thesis
Patients rights and importance
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An essential component of the nursing profession is to serve the community. A nurse is an exceptional individual that sets an example for the community and teaches them the importance of health promotion. A nurse can positively impact the community in which they will serve by being involved in events that promote healthy lifestyles. Since we are the most trustworthy profession, we must uphold this recognition by protecting our communities’ well-being. As I am moving away from the classroom into the nursing profession, I will make sure to continue my active services in organizations to positively impact the community. By pairing up with organizations, we can promote healthy lifestyles. For example, creating health fairs with primary preventions as well as, secondary preventions like screenings to detect a disease in its early stage. By collaborating with organizations like the Hispanic Nurses Association Illinois Chapter, this can become possible. I am currently part of this …show more content…
Advocacy means respecting and honoring the patient’s wishes when it comes to their health. A responsibility of a nurse is to advocate on behave of their patients. We must always uphold patient's anatomy, and if for any reason the patient is unable to decide on their behalf, we have to make sure that others are not violating their anatomy. As advocates, we must advocate for all our patients especially the vulnerable population. If we see injustice, we must speak up, and not be afraid because lives can be in danger. We may feel like we don’t have a saying over a doctor order because they have power over us, but this is not always true. Nurses have the right to voice their concerns when something seems wrong. It is best to clarify something that seems odd rather than to risk harming the individual. Therefore, to me being a patient advocate means respecting the patient's wishes and also looking out for what is best for
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
Nurses are required to protect and support their patients if they are to be an efficient patient advocate. Ethically questionable situations are quite common for nurses that conflict with their professionals and personal morals. At times, the patient necessitates the nurse to speak out for them demonstrating
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 Patient self- Determination Act (PSDA) was legislated by Congress in 1990 as part of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA). Congress felt that individuals has the right to determine their final healthcare. The PSDA provides every competent adult and emancipated minor with the right to decide their own decision on what medical care or treatment they accept, reject, or discontinue. The effect of the PSDA has given each patient the right to choose what is best for them upon their beliefs. In this crosspost, the author will elaborate on the original threaded discussion by Vail, Barr, and Cherry and add addition information on Patient self-determination act.
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
Today, many Americans face the struggle of the daily hustle and bustle, and at times can experience this pressure to rush even in their medical appointments. Conversely, the introduction of “patient-centered care” has been pushed immensely, to ensure that patients and families feel they get the medical attention they are seeking and paying for. Unlike years past, patient centered care places the focus on the patient, as opposed to the physician.1 The Institute of Medicine (IOM) separates patient centered care into eight dimensions, including respect, emotional support, coordination of care, involvement of the family, physical comfort, continuity and transition and access to care.2
As nurses, it is important that we “be both empowered and competent enablers of patient empowerment.” (Burkhardt & Nathaniel, 2014, p. 493) We take an oath to follow an ethical code which requires us to act as our patient’s advocate while providing safe nursing care. Nevertheless, we cannot make any medical choice or decision on their behalf. We also cannot empower them, “because to do so removes the element of choice.”
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.
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)
Advocating is the promoting and defending of a specific cause; it is the supportive framework nurses build and maintain for every client that they encounter (Mahlin, 2010). Definitively defining the theoretical concept of advocacy is difficult due to its dynamic nature. Within the realm of nursing specifically, advocacy focuses on patient representation, confidentiality and informed consent. The advocacy role of the nurse includes ensuring the efficacy of a protocol or treatment, effectively communicating and educating the client and maintaining overall well being (Bu & Jezewski, 2007). Advocacy is mobilizing evidence, exercising voice and engaging others; this includes public awareness building and influencing public policy (Mahlin, 2010).
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.
Health care has always been an interesting topic all over the world. Voltaire once said, “The art of medicine consists of amusing the patient while nature cures the disease.” It may seem like health care that nothing gets accomplished in different health care systems, but ultimately many trying to cures diseases and improve health care systems.
Nursing, for me, is more than a profession, it is a journey where I learn continuously about life changing events and miracles. Touching the lives of others or being touched by other’s story is an experience one can’t describe, only endure. Nursing is a profession of integrity and compassion, and it is the most trusted professions due to our commitment towards our patient. The quality of a good nurse is they should be caring, sensitive, kind and respectful towards their patient, and I believe I possess all these qualities that have contributed to me in my successful career of nursing. Working at Cleveland Clinic, I got a great opportunity to work with a group of doctors and coworkers who have the same mission in life and job as mine; “Put the patient first”. Making a positive impact on patient’s life, big or small, noticed or unnoticed, gives me a great sense of accomplishment and makes me proud to be a nurse.
Some of the most gratifying things about being a nurse is the distinctive role we have with those we care for. Our role encourages openness and transparency for clients and their families to reveal things to us they may not be willing to say under most circumstances. Furthermore, nursing is a life path that comes with incalculable responsibilities to be both a compassionate health care provider and a conscientious advocate. This semester I had the opportunity to experience nursing from the perspective of a Community Health Nurse in Montclair, California. It has given me a chance to practice these responsibilities in different ways. It has also given me a new perspective on nursing.