Nurses play a vital role in shaping the patient experience. By advocating for patients, nurses can help improve outcomes and reinforce high-quality care in inpatient rehabilitation.
Nursing advocacy is the ethical and professional responsibility to protect patients’ rights, health and safety. Whether speaking up during clinical decision-making or addressing patient concerns, nurses serve as the critical link between patients, families and the broader care team.
Advocacy should be embedded in every aspect of care. From patient education to promoting medication adherence and discharge planning to conducting thorough daily assessments, nurses work continuously to ensure safe, effective personalized care. This holistic approach not only supports positive patient outcomes but also builds trust and confidence during patients’ most vulnerable moments.
Sam Gauvin, chief nursing officer at Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital, an affiliate of Encompass Health, said advocacy should look different for each patient, and it’s up to nurses to build trust and understand their patients’ goals.
“Patients have the right to choose the kind of care they want, and they come to us with expectations about the care they deserve,” Gauvin said. “As nurses, we have to build trusting relationships and serve as a trusted source between care team members to make sure care plans align with the patients’ goals.”
Improving the patient experience for all
To ensure Encompass Health meets the needs of every patient, the Company’s CPR program was developed as a patient experience initiative to better understand and meet the needs of every individual while reducing inconsistencies in care.
By strengthening communication among care team members, including physicians, nurses, therapists, case managers and dietitians, the team works together to create a care plan and recovery environment that supports each patient.
“We have to be good listeners and help patients understand medical terminology and care plans,” Gauvin said. “We follow the CPR model that’s a guide to demonstrate care, professionalism and respect for all patients while delivering exceptional customer service.”
The CPR program is built on three core values that guide positive outcomes:
- Comfort: Creating a welcoming, supportive environment for patients and families
- Professionalism: Delivering care with competence and consistency
- Respect: Valuing patients as individuals, recognizing their dignity and needs
How communication is a part of nursing advocacy
Clear, compassionate communication is key for nurses to effectively advocate for patients’ needs, preferences and concerns.
From explaining complex medical information in a way patients and families can understand to actively listening and addressing questions, nurses play a vital role in patient care. This opens lines of communication, reduces anxiety and empowers patients and loved ones to take an active role in their care.
“We have to know our resources to provide solutions for the patient,” Gauvin said. “After a stroke, a patient may experience depression, difficulty communicating or a loss of appetite. As nurses, we can communicate to their loved ones about support groups or other resources that may be able to help the patient feel better and provide a sense of comfort.”
Maintaining patient safety
Patient safety is the most immediate and critical form of advocacy. After a life-changing illness or injury, patients are often in a vulnerable state, and it is the responsibility of the care team to ensure they feel safe. This requires constant vigilance, Gauvin said, and a willingness to question orders or processes that may appear unsafe.
By identifying and escalating concerns quickly, nurses help prevent adverse events and protect patient well-being.
Medication adherence
Nurses provide targeted, evidence-based education on medication regimens. They assess patients’ ability to self-administer medications and identify potential barriers to adherence, such as physical limitations or cognitive challenges.
If a patient cannot properly use an inhaler prescribed at discharge, the nurse should collaborate with the physician and pharmacist to secure an alternative delivery method. This proactive advocacy helps prevent complications and supports a safer transition from the hospital to home.
The role of nursing advocacy in discharge planning
For case managers and discharge planners, the bedside nurse is an essential partner in ensuring safe transitions of care.
For example, a patient recovering from complex orthopedic surgery may be clinically ready for discharge, but a nurse may discover the patient lives in a third-floor walk-up apartment with no immediate family support.
The nurse should advocate for the patient by promptly relaying this information to the hospital’s case management team. This timely communication allows the team to adjust the discharge plan and provide additional support, helping ensure a safe and successful transition home.
Interdisciplinary care team
Nurses work together with physicians, therapists, pharmacists and dietitians to optimize patient care.
“We work together to make sure our patients receive the support that they need,” Gauvin said. “When the entire interdisciplinary team aligns with the principles of patient advocacy, continuity of care is strengthened, and the standard of clinical excellence is consistently maintained.”
Making a difference in patient outcomes and their lives
Nurses are experts at building relationships with patients and their families. Through these trusted connections, nurses can become powerful advocates, ensuring patients’ needs are met, barriers to care are identified and care decisions reflect what matters most to the patient.
“A couple of years ago, a patient didn’t have the resources to afford certain medications that they needed,” Gauvin said. “Their nurses went above and beyond to build a relationship with the patient and find resources to help them be able to afford their medication. It’s simple acts of kindness and care that really make a difference at the bedside.”
The better a nurse can understand their patient and their goals, the better advocates they can be for their care. As a clinical advocate for your patient, you can play a greater role in positive patient outcomes and overall clinical goals.
