Understanding how advanced practice registered nurses function as patient advocates.

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Administration
• Patient Advocacy

Background:

• Patient advocacy by registered nurses (RNs) is well-researched.
• Limited understanding exists regarding patient advocacy at the advanced practice registered nursing (APRN) level.
• The APRN role involves distinct responsibilities including diagnosis, prescription, and treatment management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the patient advocacy experiences of APRNs.
• To differentiate APRN advocacy from RN advocacy.
• To identify key themes in APRN patient advocacy.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative, phenomenology-based research design.
• Telephone interviews conducted with seven randomly selected APRNs in Texas.
• Thematic analysis of interview transcripts to identify recurring patterns.

Main Results:

• Four major themes emerged: providing resources/information/protection, varied patient outcomes (positive/negative), experiential learning of advocacy skills, and the impact of increased medical knowledge on advocacy ability.
• APRN patient advocacy was found to be distinct from RN advocacy.
• Advocacy skills are largely acquired through experience at the APRN level.

Conclusions:

• This pilot study offers preliminary insights into APRN patient advocacy.
• Findings highlight the need for improved educational preparation for the APRN advocate role.
• Results can inform the development of enhanced educational strategies for APRN advocacy.