Nurse Advocate
What is a Nurse Advocate?
A nurse advocate is an RN who works on behalf of patients to maintain quality of care and protect patients' rights. They intervene when there is a care concern and, following the proper channels, work to resolve any patient care issues. Realistically, every nurse is an advocate. There are, however, certain positions that allow nurses to specialize in patient advocacy. There are few other types of healthcare professionals that work in similar roles; here are a few examples:
| Role | Primary Responsibilities | Environment | Education | Skills |
| Case Manager | Develops care plans, coordinates services, manages resources, and ensures patients receive appropriate care. | Hospitals, insurance companies, community organizations | RN or social work degree, case management certification | Organizational, analytical, multitasking |
| Patient Navigator | Guides patients through the healthcare system, helps with appointment scheduling, and provides emotional support. | Hospitals, cancer centers, community health organizations | RN, social work degree, or relevant certification | Interpersonal, counseling, cultural competency |
| Healthcare Advocate | Represents patients’ interests, addresses healthcare concerns, negotiates with providers, and assists with insurance issues. | Nonprofits, advocacy groups, government agencies | Bachelor's degree in health-related field, experience in advocacy | Negotiation, research, communication |
| Care Coordinator | Organizes patient care activities, communicates with healthcare providers, monitors patient progress, and ensures continuity of care. | Hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations | RN license, experience in clinical care | Coordination, teamwork, attention to detail |
How to Become a Nurse Advocate
The art of intervening for patients is taught from day one in nursing programs. It takes skill (and courage) to question superiors, report to a higher supervisor, or verbalize ideas that may be considered unconventional. Nurses must be confident, skilled in difficult conversations and assertiveness, and able to keep an open mind and maintain professionalism.
What Are the Schooling Requirements for a Nurse Advocate?
Those interested in nurse advocacy should first pursue a nursing degree through a two- or four-year nursing program. Obtaining an associate's degree (ADN) or bachelor's degree (BSN) in nursing is required.
After completion of an accredited nursing program, successful completion of the NCLEX-RN is required for RN licensure.
Are Any Certifications or Credentials Needed?
While formal certifications or credentials are not required, learning opportunities are available to strengthen the practice of nurse advocacy. Obtaining certification identifies the nurse as an experienced provider who knows the ins and outs of the healthcare system and is knowledgeable about patients' rights as consumers.
One certification program trains nurses as patient care liaisons and prepares them to handle situations including ethical dilemmas, complex medical cases, and seeking second opinions. This program takes nine months to complete and requires continuing education to maintain certification. It is open to medically trained and licensed professionals. Hospital, clinic, and extended care nurses may complete the program to better assist the patients they serve.
Another program teaches nurses to become independent RN patient advocates (iRNPAs). This program is open to experienced RNs who wish to work independently—setting their own hours and wages while acting as a voice for patients as they try to navigate the healthcare system. The program consists of a five-month online training, followed by a six-day immersion course. Nurses must have an active RN license and a minimum of six years' experience in clinical nursing.
What Does a Nurse Advocate Do?
Nurse advocates act as a voice for patients and families when they feel lost in the healthcare system. They liaise between patients, healthcare providers, and healthcare organizations or insurance companies. They help assess the needs of patients and families and develop a plan to meet those needs, utilizing available resources and ancillary staff.
Where Do Nurse Advocates Work?
Nurse advocates can work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, specialty departments, long-term care facilities, non-profit organizations, or as independent healthcare consultants. In the inpatient setting, nurse advocates can work in:
- Patient care coordination
- Discharge planning
- Med/legal
- Risk management
- Management
- Patient services
What Are the Roles & Duties of a Nurse Advocate?
The roles and duties of a nurse advocate are multi-faceted, but the cornerstone is patient education. Roles and duties may include:
- Assessing patient care needs during hospitalization and discharge
- Reaching out to community resources as needed
- Educating patients about diagnoses and referring to specialties
- Advocating for treatments/procedures/tests that are appropriate for patient care/diagnoses
- Reviewing patient care concerns or grievances
- Providing education on insurance benefits
- Educating patients on current standards of practice in healthcare
- Demonstrating compassion and empathy with patients and families with regard to their healthcare wishes
- Educating patients on necessary healthcare decisions without bias or coercion
Nurse Advocate Salary & Employment
The ever-changing healthcare world, combined with a greater number of consumers accessing information with the click of a computer mouse, has led to more patients speaking up for their own health. Conflicting information can confuse patients and create dissension between providers and patients. Nurse advocates work to bridge the gap between providers and patients, using research education as a tool to ensure care needs are met. This means that nurse advocates are now needed in many areas of healthcare.
According to ZipRecruiter, nurse advocates can earn from $35,500 to $61,000 annually. This may differ based on degrees or certifications held and the state/city of employment. If working as private consultants in which nurses set their own wages, hourly rates can be $150 – $200 an hour.
| Average Annual Salary | |
| Lowest 25% of Earners | $35,500 |
| Median | $45,058 |
| Top 25% or Earners | $53,500 |
| Top Earners | $61,000 |
Helpful Organizations, Societies, & Agencies
- RN Patient Advocates
- National Patient Advocate Foundation
- The Alliance of Professional Health Advocates
