1. 43 Nursing: A Concept-Based Approach to Learning Advocacy MODULE
VOLUME TWO | SECOND EDITION 43
MODULE
Advocacy

2. The Concept of Advocacy
Advocacy is protecting
Advocate expresses, defends another's cause
Client advocate
Protects client
Defends client from harm
Represents client's needs, wishes to others
Positive experience for nurses and clients 2

3. The Advocate's Role Navigate complex healthcare system
Penetrate bureaucracy, access resources
Protect client's rights
Educate clients about their rights, healthcare options
Provide information
Support clients in making informed decisions
Work with clients who lack decision-making capacity 3

4. The Advocate's Role, continued
Effective advocacy
Be assertive
Recognize that rights, values of client and family must take precedence when conflicting with those of providers
Be aware that conflicts may arise
Nurse and administrators, primary providers
Work with community agencies, lay practitioners
May require political action 4

5. Lifespan Considerations
Advocate for safety
Assess, protect vulnerable clients
Infants, children, pregnant women, older adults most vulnerable
Be alert to signs of abuse
Recognize victim will often deny abuse 5

6. Empowering the Client Support and advocate
Clients and families facing difficult choices
Living with results of choices
Mutual respect, trust, confidence in others' abilities and motives
Empowering  caring behavior of enabling 6

7. Empowering the Client, continued
Caring behavior of enabling
Facilitating client's passage through transitions and unfamiliar events
Coaching, informing, explaining, supporting, assisting, guiding, focusing, validating
May involve substitutive care
May involve providing safe, effective environment
May involve mediating on another's behalf 7

8. Empowering the Client, continued
Nurse maintains professional boundaries
Avoid enabling pathological choices
Facilitate growth and development
Dimensions of advocacy
Being client advocate
Following through or following up
Providing resources
Going above and beyond 8

9. Professional and Public Advocacy
Professional organizations advocate at state and national levels
For profession of nursing
For members of organization
Those who benefit from services
Nurses in position to affect change 9

10. Illegal, Immoral, Unethical Activities of Professionals
Legal responsibility to report any illegal, immoral, unethical activities by professionals 10

11. Nursing Practice
Nurses morally obligated to act as advocates for all clients
Advocacy off duty as well as time at work
Advocacy can impact client's well-being
Access to healthcare services
Role of client advocate
Begins in nursing school
Incorporated into daily professional practice 11