It's Time to Earn the Public's Trust

Area of Science:

• Healthcare policy
• Nursing ethics
• Public health

Background:

• Nursing is consistently ranked as the most trusted profession.
• There are growing concerns regarding equitable access to healthcare services.
• The role of nursing in advocating for patient access is increasingly vital.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the potential for the nursing profession to actively safeguard patient access to care.
• To identify key factors influencing nursing's ability to advocate for healthcare access.
• To examine the ethical imperatives for nurses in ensuring equitable care delivery.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis of nursing professional statements and ethical codes.
• Review of policy documents related to healthcare access and nursing scope of practice.
• Synthesis of existing literature on nursing advocacy and patient outcomes.

Main Results:

• Nursing's high public trust provides a strong foundation for advocacy.
• Professional nursing organizations have a significant role in shaping policy.
• Barriers to care disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, highlighting the need for nursing intervention.

Conclusions:

• The nursing profession is uniquely positioned to champion and safeguard access to care.
• Proactive engagement in policy and advocacy is essential for maintaining healthcare equity.
• Ethical obligations compel nurses to address systemic barriers to care.