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Advocacy

What examples of advocacy do you see in your own nursing practice? List and discuss 2 examples.

Submission Instructions:

• Your initial post should be at least 500 words, formatted and cited in current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources. Your initial post is worth 8 points

SOLUTION 

 

Advocacy in Nursing Practice

Advocacy is a fundamental aspect of the nursing profession, rooted in the ethical obligation to protect and promote patients’ rights, safety, and well-being. The American Nurses Association (ANA, 2015) defines advocacy as the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal, particularly concerning the health, safety, and rights of patients. In practice, advocacy takes many forms—from speaking up for patients’ needs and preferences to influencing institutional policies or broader healthcare legislation. In my nursing practice, I have consistently observed and participated in advocacy efforts that improve patient outcomes and foster a more equitable healthcare system. Two notable examples include advocating for pain management in nonverbal patients and addressing social determinants of health by securing community resources for low-income patients.

Example 1: Advocating for Effective Pain Management in Nonverbal Patients

One of the most critical aspects of advocacy in my role has involved patients who are unable to verbally express their pain, such as those with advanced dementia or those on mechanical ventilation. I once cared for an elderly patient with late-stage Alzheimer’s who showed non-specific signs of distress—grimacing, moaning, and restlessness. Despite these indicators, the care team initially hesitated to adjust her pain management plan, citing her inability to communicate discomfort clearly.

Recognizing these behaviors as potential signs of pain, I used an evidence-based pain assessment tool for nonverbal patients (PAINAD) and documented consistent findings indicative of moderate pain. I advocated for an adjustment in her analgesic regimen during rounds and communicated my findings to the attending physician. After the care plan was modified, the patient showed marked improvement in comfort and demeanor.

This instance reflects how nurses serve as vigilant advocates, ensuring vulnerable patients receive appropriate care based on clinical judgment and evidence-based tools. According to Herr et al. (2019), pain in nonverbal older adults is frequently undertreated, and nurse-led assessments and advocacy are vital in improving outcomes.

Example 2: Advocacy for Social Determinants of Health and Resource Access

Another form of advocacy in my practice involves helping patients overcome barriers posed by social determinants of health (SDOH), such as poverty, food insecurity, or lack of transportation. I once discharged a middle-aged diabetic patient who had been repeatedly admitted for uncontrolled blood sugar levels. During discharge teaching, I learned he lacked access to nutritious food and could not afford insulin consistently due to being uninsured.

Instead of proceeding with a routine discharge, I collaborated with our hospital’s social work team and community case managers to connect the patient with a sliding-scale clinic, local food pantry, and pharmaceutical assistance programs. I also facilitated the setup of a telehealth appointment to monitor his glucose levels post-discharge. Through this advocacy, the patient was empowered to manage his condition, resulting in a significant reduction in emergency visits over the next few months.

Nurses are uniquely positioned to recognize how social inequities impact health and to intervene at the point of care. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (2021) emphasize that addressing SDOH through care coordination and advocacy improves both individual and population health outcomes.

Conclusion

Advocacy is embedded in nearly every nursing interaction, whether it’s ensuring patients’ physical comfort or fighting for their access to essential resources. Nurses act as change agents—not only for individual patients but also within their organizations and communities. Whether advocating at the bedside or within broader care systems, our role is crucial in driving equity, compassion, and excellence in healthcare delivery.

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References

American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. ANA.

Herr, K., Coyne, P. J., Ely, E., Gélinas, C., Manworren, R., & Steffens, N. (2019). Pain assessment in the patient unable to self-report: Clinical practice recommendations in support of the ASPMN 2019 position statement. Pain Management Nursing, 20(5), 406–417. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmn.2019.04.003

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2021). The future of nursing 2020–2030: Charting a path to achieve health equity. The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25982

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