In this inspiring and timely article, Intensive Care Nurse Mona discusses the importance of advocacy and political participation as a nurse, what you can do to get involved, and why it matters not just for nurses, but patients as well.
Nursing is a profession that is deeply rooted in providing patient care and improving healthcare outcomes. However, nurses are also becoming more political, advocating for their patients and their profession at the highest levels of government. This has been exemplified by the Royal College of Nursing strike in 2022 and the appointment of Maria Caulfield as a Member of Parliament.
In June 2022, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) went on strike for the first time in its 104-year history. The strike was a response to a government proposal to cap nurses' pay at 1% in the face of rising inflation, despite the heroic work that nurses had done during the COVID-19 pandemic. The strike was widely supported by nurses and the public alike, with many recognising the importance of valuing and investing in the nursing profession.
Nursing and politics have been closely intertwined since the profession's earliest days. Nurses have always had to advocate for themselves, their patients, and their profession to ensure that the best care is provided to all.
In recent years nurses have become even more involved in politics, as they have increasingly recognized the importance of advocating for their profession and their patients. In this article, we will discuss why nurses should be more politically active and the importance of advocacy in nursing.
What Is Advocacy?
Advocacy is the act of speaking on behalf of others to promote their interests, rights, and well-being. In the context of nursing, advocacy is about speaking up for patients, providing support and information, and helping patients to make informed decisions about their healthcare.
Nurses are often the first point of contact for patients, and they are in a unique position to advocate for their patients. By understanding their patients’ perspectives, needs, and wants, nurses can work with patients to identify potential obstacles that may prevent them from getting the care they need.
Why Is Advocacy Important For Nurses?
Advocacy is an essential component of nursing practice. Nurses are responsible for ensuring that patients receive the best possible care, and this requires them to be advocates for their patients.
Advocacy helps nurses to:
• Promote Patient-Centred Care: By advocating for their patients, nurses can help to ensure that the care they receive is focused on their individual needs and preferences.
• Ensure Patient Safety: Nurses are responsible for identifying and reporting any potential risks or hazards to their patients and advocating for measures to prevent harm.
• Promote Patient Autonomy: Advocacy helps to empower patients to make informed decisions about their healthcare, based on their personalised values and preferences. It also enables them to participate in decision-making processes with their medical providers.
In addition, advocacy encourages nurses to remain informed on current clinical guidelines, research evidence, and policy changes affecting healthcare. This allows them to provide more evidence-based care for their patients.
Moreover, by actively participating in policy debates related to nursing and healthcare, nurses can influence decisions made by government leaders and health system administrators. This gives them a greater opportunity to effect positive change within the system.
Numerous studies have found that nurses who actively participate in advocacy activities have greater job satisfaction and a deeper commitment to their profession (McKoy, 2018; Good et al., 2017). Furthermore, the literature has shown that nursing advocacy can lead to improved patient outcomes (McGinnis et al., 2019).
By advocating for their patients and participating in health policy debates, nurses can make an invaluable contribution to the healthcare system. As the nursing literature demonstrates, advocating for patients is an essential component of nursing practice that can lead to improved patient outcomes and job satisfaction. Nurses must be encouraged to take a proactive role in influencing the policies that impact their profession and the care they provide.
Nurses play a critical role in the healthcare system, and their involvement in politics and advocacy is essential in shaping policies that benefit patient care… it is a core component of nursing practice, and nurses have a unique perspective on healthcare and patient care that should be heard in policy discussions.
About this contributor
Intensive Care Nurse
As a newly qualified nurse in intensive care, I have a keen interest in health policy. My previous experience as a 111 call handler and care coordinator in domiciliary care has provided me with a solid foundation in community healthcare. However, I shifted my focus to the acute setting to challenge myself and gain new experiences. Advocating for others and ensuring the nursing voice is heard is what truly drives me.
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one year agoMona,this is an awesome piece it has encouraged me to start something really interesting on social media. Though still a ... read more
Mona,this is an awesome piece it has encouraged me to start something really interesting on social media. Though still a student I will need to be tutored well on where to start from. Thank you
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Matt Farrah
Matt Farrah
one year agoMona, this is excellent. I've shared it on Linkedin as I think it puts into context the strike action and ... read more
Mona, this is excellent. I've shared it on Linkedin as I think it puts into context the strike action and why it's been important. Thank you for this x
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