Running head: ADVOCACY

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Advocacy
Salena Barnes, RN, BSN
NRSG 7410
Georgia College and State University

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Advocacy is defined as the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal: the act or
process of advocating something (Advocacy, http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/
advocacy). Patient advocacy is something that nurses do every day to ensure our patients
receive quality, equitable care in every setting. I believe advocacy is a vital component of patient
care, but it is also a vital part of sharing in the nursing profession. It is important that all nurses
engage in, and become involved in developing processes in their respective work settings to
advocate for realistic changes that meet the needs of both patients and staff (Tomajan, 2012).
Nurses and nurse practitioners (NP) must advocate for themselves with tenacity to ensure the
advancement and relevance of our profession. Yet, learning to advocate involves developing a
set of skills. These skills include problem solving, communication, influence, and collaboration,
which have all been addressed within this program (Tomajan, 2012).
Reflection on where you were on advocacy when starting the program.
Before I decided to pursue a Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN), I worked in a variety
of settings as a registered nurse (RN) to include Medical-Surgical, Surgical Trauma Intensive
Care Unit (ICU), Orthopedics, and at a Pain Management Clinic. My involvement in advocacy
was strictly patient focused. I would advocate for my patient and their family as indicated to
ensure they received adequate and thoughtful care. Often times, I would speak to the physician
on behalf of the patient to have medications adjusted and diet changes, as they were needed. For
example, some patients preferred to take their medications from home as opposed to the ones
the hospital provided in an effort to reduce cost. In addition, if I noted a patient was not
receiving adequate nutrition because they were not eating a particular type of tray well, I would
suggest to the physician changes that would support optimal nutrition. Yet, as a Masters

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prepared nurse, I now realize that advocacy is not just patient-centered, it is also involves
advocating for the nursing profession and nurse practitioners (NP).
What parts of the program helped you to become more proficient in advocacy?
The Perspectives of Advance Nursing Practice class helped to shed light on the role of the
nurse practitioner and the importance of advocacy within the profession. The state regulatory
agencies define our scope of practice, licensure, and penalties when facing disciplinary action
which vary from state to state. The professors often spoke on this issue and I feel that due to the
expanding practice roles of APRNs there needs to be a cohesive scope of practice, educational
requirements, licensure, and practice boundaries. In addition, the program helped me to see the
value in advocating for patients, nurses, and the nursing profession. I have learned that everyone
from the bedside LPN to the NP must work together to strengthen our image and role within the
ever evolving healthcare system. This program aided me to understand the processes associated
with advocacy for nurses and our profession.
What did you do to help yourself meet this outcome?
Furthermore, educating myself on ways to advocate for the nursing profession was the
biggest thing I have done for myself to aid in meeting this program outcome. Examining role
acquisition, ethical, legal, political and practice issues associated with NPs has increased my
understanding of the challenges I will face in the future. Additionally, experiencing some of the
educational challenges practitioner students are currently facing, such as finding acceptable
preceptorships and clinical sites has deepened my empathy for others. I know that I will precept
after obtaining my license to practices as an NP since I have experienced the hardships regarding
placement during this program. Finally, in my role as a student I continued to be a patient

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advocate, while actively examining my personal feelings when patients refuse treatment. I
offered alternatives as often as possible to facilitate the patient in their journey to wellness.
What could you have done better to become more proficient?
While I personally participated in Legislative Day, I could certainly become more
involved with raising awareness and try to motivate others to participate as well. I believe it is
our responsibility to ensure the advancement of the nursing profession. Thus, encouraging other
nurses in every role to participate and be aware of legislation that can ultimately affect their
future is of the upmost importance. I could have done more reading and followed up with the
nursing associations that I belong to for more information about advocacy for NPs. Further, I
think that we in the medical profession must always work hard to advocate for vulnerable
populations. The children, elderly, homeless, physically disabled, and the mentally ill should be
screened carefully to confirm their safety and wellbeing.
What could the SON have done better to help you or other students with this outcome?
While the SON did a good job of giving me the opportunity to examine the role
acquisition of the NP, it would be great to have had some sort of activity directly associated with
legislature. In addition, encouraging students and providing examples of ways students can
become more involved in the legislature would have been helpful. Interacting with policy
makers and nursing leaders within the nursing profession would be a good opportunity to learn
more, as well as illustrating the avenues a student could pursue to become more involved.
Generating more changes for students to learn about health policy and the advocacy process will
help future students. Furthermore, engaging and interacting in these processes, along with
mentorship will facilitate students being active participants for change in the nursing profession.
Moreover, staying involved, working together globally, and supporting each other will have a

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great impact to bring about change which begins with the SON. As future APRNs it is important
to remember not to let the limitations that have been bestowed upon us interfere with what we
can do as an organization.

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References

Advocacy. (n.d.). Retrieved March 7, 2016, from http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/advocacy

Tomajan, K. (2012) "Advocating for Nurses and Nursing" OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in
Nursing Vol. 17, No. 1, Manuscript 4.