Any nurse advocates out there?

christianRN · Dec 30, 2002

I'd be interested to learn exactly what a nurse advocate is. Is it a legal representative, or what? I'm also interested in learning about how nurses can call their own shots! :)

mattsmom81 · Dec 30, 2002

I think it involves doing what we do for friends and acquaintences already...but trying to make a living at it.

How often do we go to the hospital to see a sick friend and end up offering advice and assistance between the staff and patient or doc and patient? Or when church members call us and we 'splain things to them they do not understand. So often we give this consultation service away for free when if they went to a doc's office they would pay a hefty fee.

I figure...why not try and make a living doing this? I know we won't get rich but I don't need much money. I do know I'm tired of hospital administrators controlling my life.

Maybe we'll both get some good answers, ChristianRN...I am also perusing this nurse entrepeneur area for encouragement!

I know parish nursing is an option...and a way to start using our talents to help a group of people...but I am unsure how to begin thinking about reimbursement for this. I suppose one could work like a minister...for donations or love gifts...and look at it as charity work.

Please feel free to share what you learn and I will do the same...maybe we'll come up with something together!!

christianRN · Dec 31, 2002

That sounds very cool, Mattsmom! I'm excited to learn what can be done with this. I admire the nurses ( I know a couple) who go out on a limb to become independent. I don't personally know a nuirse advocate, but I'm sure it could work!! :)

2banurse · Mar 21, 2003

I know that it has been a little while since this was last responded, but I thought I would add my 2 cents. There is a good possibility that I won't be able to get into my ADN nursing program until Fall '04 due to not yet completing A&P 2 or microbiology. (As they work with an applicant pool, anyone who has finished all the prereqs get into the program first, and then space permitting they will accept those with as many classes done as possible.) As I will have my AA in May, I decided that I am going to pursue the Advanced Technical Certificate in Paralegal studies. Then in Fall '04 I'll go into the RN program. My goal is to be an legal nurse consultant...mixing both my interest in medicine and in law. Also, as a backup if something prevents me from finishing the RN program, at least I will come out of school will a suitable skill.

bargainhound, RN · Mar 21, 2003

http://www.nurseadvocate.org

This group has an email group that privately discusses issues you

mentioned.

graysonret · Mar 21, 2003

That would be something I would be interested in doing, if I knew of a group. Something to do after nursing.

sdc · Sep 9, 2009

I, too, am interested in any ideas about specializing in patient advocacy! I am thinking in terms of applying my RN skills and experience in working with patients and families who are dealing with major issues such as Cancer, end of life, Lupus, multiple disease processes, etc. A true advocate would act as a "central clearing house" of sorts, coordinating medical care and prescriptions, explaining "Dr. talk", answering questions, and providing much needed emotional support. I have seen a real need for this in both my personal and professional life. I am anxious to hear from anyone who is interested or who has experience with this specialty. I live in southeast Michigan.