Nurses and the attorney-client relationship

Because most nurses are unfamiliar with legal issues and systems, they may take a passive role in the attorney-client relationship and legal case management and as a result may be dissatisfied with legal services and outcomes. Nurses can use a patient bill of rights to understand what they should expect from their attorneys and to take a more active role in the management of their case. This article presents one version of a client bill of rights and uses familiar healthcare situations and real-life experiences of nurses to discuss the meaning of individual rights.