Chapter 21: Advocating for Patients and Nurses

A role function used by advanced practice registered nurses to offer their own clinical expertise to other colleagues or to seek additional information to enhance their own practice Indirect provision of care through helping others implement change. Through consulting, the clinical nurse specialists as a content expert provides an array of approaches to improve clinical outcomes. Caring for the adult and aged population entails assisting clients with complex physical, emotional, social, cognitive and financial issues associated with chronic diseases. When disciplines try solving problems from a singular perspective, the results are often fragmented and poorly coordinated. An interprofessional approach allows integration of each discipline’s strengths to coordinate a comprehensive plan of care for client problems. The overarching ethical framework for nurses is guided by American Nurses Association Code of Ethics. This is a non-negotiable ethical standard of the ethical values, obligations, duties, and professional ideals of nurses individually and collectively.