"Patient advocacy is a core competency of being a nurse associate. I play a major role in their care and treatment, so I ensure the patient has a voice and speak up for them when necessary. This could be related to concerns with medication, questions for the general practitioner, or even helping connect them to necessary community resources. It could also mean that if a patient comes to me with concerns about going home or tells me they are being abused, I am the voice for them and bring those things to light. That could be reporting the issue to authorities, or if the patient is having trouble communicating with family, it could be as simple as me having a conversation with the family on their behalf about their wishes. During my apprenticeship, I focused on building this skill, and I plan to do the same at the NHS."
