"Patient advocacy is a core competency of being a nurse. I play a major role in their 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 to the doctor, 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 family on their behalf about their wishes. During my clinicals, I focused on building this skill, and I plan to do the same at the NHS."

"As a nurse, I advocate for my patients in many ways. I always protect patient rights relating to privacy and care, making sure my workstation is locked when I'm away and not sharing personal information with those not authorized. I also provide education on topics like pain management, weight loss, wound care, diabetes care, medication management, etc. Additionally, I advocate for patient safety by ensuring staff adheres to policies and practices relating to fall risks and using appropriate adaptative and safety equipment when necessary."