Advocacy and the Advanced Nurse Practitioner

Abstract

This chapter presents a critical appraisal of mental health nursing’s interest in and relationship to advocacy with a view to highlighting the role of advanced practice mental health nurses (APMHNs), amongst other team members, in both performing advocacy and respecting and acting upon the voice of advocates. In this regard, a distinction will be made between nurses taking up an advocacy role and the important role and function of independent advocates, the latter requiring understanding and support from nurses and health-care teams to be maximally effective. Nurses, thus, are charged with a responsibility to be advocates and support other advocates, especially in the case of recognition of the limitations of nurse advocacy. Within the nursing advocacy role, a further distinction will be made between advocating at the level of patient care for meeting the rights and needs of individuals and advocating on a broader stage for social justice ends salient to nursing and health care.