Advocating for Client’s Rights: A Professional Experience Example

QUESTION

“Describe an example of and the importance of advocating for our clients.” GIVE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE EXAMPLE 

USE THESE REFRENCE LINKS 

Canadian Nurses Association,2023

https://www.cno.org/globalassets/docs/prac/41034_ethics.pd

College of Nurses of Ontario. (2019). Practice Standard: Ethicshttp://www.cno.org/globalassets/docs/prac/41034_ethics.pdf College of Nurses of Ontario. (2019). Professional Conduct: Professional Misconducthttps://www.cno.org/globalassets/docs/ih/42007_misconduct.pdf College of Nurses of Ontario. (2019). Practice Standard: Code of Conducthttps://www.cno.org/globalassets/docs/prac/49040_code-of-conduct.pdf College of Nurses of Ontario. (2006). Therapeutic nurse client relationshiphttps://www.cno.org/globalassets/docs/prac/41033_therapeutic.pdf Canadian Nurses Association. (2010). Advocacy Priorities.Retrieved from https://www.cna-aiic.ca/en/policy-advocacy/advocacy-priorities. College of Nurses of Ontario. (2017). Practice Guideline: Consenthttps://www.cno.org/globalassets/docs/policy/41020_consent.pdf College of Nurses of Ontario. (2022). Practice Standard: Confidentiality and Privacy—Personal Health Informationhttps://www.cno.org/globalassets/docs/prac/41069_privacy.pdf

ANSWER

Advocating for Client’s Rights: A Professional Experience Example

Introduction

Advocacy is a fundamental aspect of nursing practice, involving the proactive support and protection of clients’ rights and well-being. As a registered nurse working in a busy hospital setting, I encountered a compelling case that exemplified the importance of advocating for our clients’ rights and ensuring ethical and patient-centered care. This essay will discuss a specific example from my professional experience and highlight the significance of advocacy in nursing practice, drawing upon relevant resources from the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) and the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO).

Example of Advocacy in Practice

During a night shift at the hospital, I was assigned to care for an elderly patient, Mrs. Smith, who was admitted with a complex medical condition. Mrs. Smith was disoriented and unable to provide informed consent for a planned procedure. The physician on duty was determined to proceed with the intervention without consent, assuming it was in Mrs. Smith’s best interest. As her advocate, I recognized the importance of upholding her rights and ensuring ethical care.

Importance of Advocacy

Advocating for our clients is an essential responsibility of nursing practice. The CNO’s Practice Standard on Ethics emphasizes the duty to act in the best interest of clients, promote their autonomy, and respect their decisions (CNO, 2019). In the case of Mrs. Smith, advocating for her rights aligned with the CNO’s Practice Standard on Consent, which emphasizes obtaining informed consent for any treatment or procedure (CNO, 2017). Despite the urgency of the situation, it was crucial to protect Mrs. Smith’s right to be informed and make decisions about her care.

Utilizing Ethical Guidelines and Practice Standards

To support my advocacy efforts, I referred to the CNA’s Advocacy Priorities, which underscore the significance of promoting patient-centered care and safeguarding clients’ rights to privacy and confidentiality (CNA, 2010). Additionally, the CNO’s Practice Standard on Confidentiality and Privacy further reinforced the importance of protecting patients’ personal health information (CNO, 2022). I ensured that Mrs. Smith’s medical information was treated with the utmost confidentiality and only shared with relevant healthcare professionals involved in her care.

Collaborating with the Healthcare Team

To address the ethical dilemma and advocate effectively for Mrs. Smith, I collaborated with the healthcare team. I engaged in open and respectful communication with the physician, expressing the need to respect Mrs. Smith’s autonomy and obtain her informed consent. By working together, we were able to explore alternative options and develop a care plan that upheld Mrs. Smith’s rights and ensured her well-being.

Conclusion

The example of advocating for Mrs. Smith highlights the pivotal role of nurses in safeguarding clients’ rights and promoting ethical care. As a nurse, it is essential to adhere to professional practice standards and ethical guidelines while advocating for the best interests of our clients. By drawing upon resources from the CNA and CNO, nurses can reinforce their advocacy skills and effectively contribute to patient-centered care and positive health outcomes. Advocacy is a powerful tool that empowers nurses to create positive changes in the lives of their clients and enhance the overall quality of healthcare delivery.