What it means
Advocacy is a core duty of the nurse: making sure the client's voice is heard, their questions are answered, their choices are respected and they are protected from unsafe care. A nurse advocates by asking the provider to explain a treatment again, by raising a safety concern, or by making sure an interpreter is used.
For the nurse
On the exam, advocating means acting on the client's behalf through the right channels: clarify an order that seems unsafe, report to the charge nurse, or contact the provider. It never means making decisions for the client or pushing the nurse's own values.
At a glance
| Spanish | defender, abogar |
|---|---|
| Also written | advocacy, advocates, advocated, advocating, client advocate, client advocates, patient advocate, patient advocates |
Related terms
American Nurses Association
The professional organization for registered nurses in the United States.
informed consent
A person's agreement to a treatment or procedure, given freely after the risks, benefits and other choices have been explained to them.
autonomy
A person's right to make their own choices about their body and their care.