An advocate, according to the definition, is a person who represents another person’s interests in court. Advocacy in the nursing profession relates to the preservation of human dignity, the development of patient equity, and the provision of relief from suffering. It’s also about securing that people have the freedom to make their own health decisions.
Advocacy can take many forms, from lending a sympathetic ear to providing further information to a patient who is debating whether or not to accept therapy. However, as patient advocates, nurses must provide objective support, avoiding showing acceptance or criticism of a patient’s choices.
