Blog Series Examines Three Core Values of Nursing Patient Advocacy

AURORA, Colo., June 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- American Sentinel University's new three-part blog 'Patient Advocacy Series' is available at http://www.americansentinel.edu/blog/tag/patient-advocacy-series/ as part of the university's 'The Sentinel Watch' healthcare blog. The series examines the three core values that form the basis of patient advocacy in the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics.

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The blog series dissects how nursing has moved beyond just the delivery of patient care. Because nurses have the most frequent and direct interaction with patients, they are in an ideal position to advocate for each patient on an individual basis, and they have a duty to do so.

"As nurses, we are educated and passionate about the health and safety of our patients and willingly accept our role as advocates for our patients," says Judy Burckhardt, Ph.D., MAEd, MSN, RN, Dean and Professor, Nursing and Healthcare Programs at American Sentinel University. "Since we are with patients around the clock, we are best suited for this role. Our knowledge and skills allow us to effectively 'translate' information about medical diagnoses, procedures and medications into terms our patients can understand."

The Patient Advocate blog series will run through June 28, 2016, and covers these important patient advocacy topics of interest for nurses:

-Preserving Human Dignity: the importance of having a clear vision to see patients as human beings, not room numbers, and to strive to keep their dignity intact;

-Promoting Patient Equality: continuing the role of caring for underserved and vulnerable populations with a focus on practices that may help end disparities;

-Ensuring Freedom from Suffering: the holistic focus of nursing and why nurses should not focus entirely on the patients' physical condition.

Dr. Burckhardt says that nurses as patient advocates have an individual responsibility to their patients. It is important to remember that nurses have more clout if they approach an issue as a group.

"The key to being an effective patient advocate requires more than just passion and knowledge. Advanced education and training help develop critical thinking, organizational and communication skills. These enhance nurse's effectiveness and open the door to new opportunities in their expanded role of patient and health advocates," she adds.

To learn more about the three core values that form the basis of nursing patient advocacy, visit the 'Patient Advocacy Series' on American Sentinel University's 'The Sentinel Watch' healthcare blog.

Learn more about American Sentinel University's accredited online Nursing programs (RN to BSN, MSN, or DNP) at http://www.americansentinel.edu/nursing or call 866.922.5690.

About American Sentinel University
American Sentinel University delivers accredited online degree programs in nursing (BSN, MSN, and DNP) and healthcare management (MBA Healthcare, M.S. Information Systems Management, and M.S. Business Intelligence and Analytics). Its affordable, flexible bachelor's and master's nursing degree programs are accredited by the Commission for the Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), of One Dupont Circle, NW Suite 530, Washington, D.C., 20036. The DNP program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) of 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, Ga., 30326. The University is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission, DEAC, 1101 17th Street NW, Suite 808, Washington, D.C. 20036, (202) 234-5100, www.deac.org

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SOURCE American Sentinel University

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