Advocacy in Nursing

Abstract

There has been an interest in nurse advocacy since the 1970s and recently there has been an increase in the nursing literature regarding this controversial subject. There has, however, been very little research into the nurse advocate role, particularly in learning disability nursing. This qualitative study explored the perceptions of eight learning disability nurses about their advocacy role, using semi-structured interviews. Six key categories were identified: nurses' understandings of advocacy, conditions that initiated advocacy actions, factors that enhance and factors that limit nurse advocacy, conflicts for nurse advocates and the consequences of nurse advocacy. The key finding was that nurses used the term `advocacy' to describe a variety of activities that are underpinned by the opposing ethical principles of autonomy and paternalism. This confusion, also apparent in current nursing policy, indicates an urgent need for learning disability nurses to debate the issue of nurse advocacy and influence policy in this crucial area.