Nursing may just be the most selfless job out there. That’s because nurses dedicate themselves day in and day out to improving the lives of others. Nurses, therefore, are exemplary people who give their best despite hardships that frequently occur in the workplace. In fact, several reports have even called out nursing as one of “the most dangerous jobs in America.” Yet, nurses understand just how fulfilling a career in nursing can be. That’s because being an advocate for your patients and improving their health outcomes is, without a doubt, the best part about being a nursing professional.
If you are currently working as a dedicated nurse in any area of healthcare, you most likely already have a grasp on how to go that extra mile for patients. At the same time, there is always room for improvement when it comes to patient care in nursing. On that note, below are some innovative ways to go above and beyond in your nursing profession.
Advocacy in Patient Care
A study published in the Journal of Medical Ethics and History of Medicine defines advocacy in patient care as “being a patient representative, defending the patient’s rights and universal rights, protecting the interests of the patient, contributing to decision-making, and supporting the patient’s decisions.” The study goes on to illustrate that patient advocacy can also be defined as “being a “voice” for the vulnerable.” Therefore, a commitment to the nursing profession requires a nurse to also be dedicated to protecting and representing their patients in times of need. This type of patient advocacy can be portrayed in both medical and nonmedical ways. For example, nonmedical patient advocacy may look like a bedside nurse who connects with their patient on a personal level by asking specific questions to help make their patient feel more comfortable. Medical advocacy can involve explaining confusing medical diagnoses to a patient in need. Below are three powerful examples of patient advocacy in nursing:
- Listening: Genuinely listening to patients' concerns and questions
- Documenting: Recording and communicating a patient’s concerns and questions to the patient’s primary physician, also known as Nurse Physician Communication (NPC)
- Ensuring safety: Educating patients on their rights to respectful care, informed consent, privacy, and payment solutions
Providing a voice for a patient is the first step in going above and beyond in nursing. Alongside patient advocacy, there are additional ways nurses can provide nonmedical support while caring for vulnerable patients.
How to Offer Nonmedical Support for Patients
While a nurse can ensure that their patient receives the best medical care possible, nonmedical support is equally important for positive patient outcomes. As a matter of fact, a 2022 study of patient experience published by Sage Journals showed that “patient experience is positively enhanced when care encompasses both clinical and emotional aspects.” Examples of positive patient support can include a nurse showing kindness and empathy towards their patient as well as deep listening and connecting with a patient on a day-to-day basis. Below is a list of guiding principles on how to offer nonmedical support for patients under your nursing care:
- Engagement: Practice deep listening with patients, addressing their fears and concerns related to their current health prognosis, and engage patients in their own care by encouraging feedback.
- Medication management: Organize and administer patients’ medications in a timely and effective way; also, educate patients under your care regarding medications.
- Family involvement: Include a patient’s “chosen” family members in a collaborative and respectful patient care plan. Ensure that family members are educated and informed about the patient’s treatment plan.
- Respect: Treat patients with respect and dignity regardless of education or socio-economic level. Interact with patients and practice basic courtesy. Treat every patient equally.
Attentive Patient Care
A nurse can show a high level of patient care by keeping core principles such as respect, safety, and personalized care in mind. Additionally, nurses can go above and beyond for their patients by performing small acts of kindness, such as offering Wifi access, snacks, or activities that create a calm and soothing environment. Ultimately, compassionate patient care and kindness are essential to favorable patient outcomes. Moreover, going that extra mile for a patient as a nurse reinforces how fulfilling a career in nursing can be. After all, nothing is more rewarding than discharging a patient who has healed under your nursing care.
