How to Become a Nurse Advocate
A nurse advocate is the voice patients need in today’s complex healthcare system. These professionals safeguard patient rights, assist families with complex decisions, and drive positive change across hospitals, clinics, and entire healthcare networks. The role involves close collaboration with healthcare providers, administrators, policymakers, and government organizations to ensure every patient is treated with dignity and respect.
If you want to use your nursing skills to speak up for patients and protect their rights, becoming a patient advocate could be a great fit for you. Our step-by-step guide can help you start your journey into this unique and meaningful specialty.
Nurse Advocate: Career Snapshot
- Role: Be the voice patients need within the healthcare system.
- Duties: Protect patient rights, assist with complex healthcare decisions, coordinate communication between patients and providers, and push for positive changes within healthcare systems.
- Workplaces: Hospitals, clinics, community health organizations, and patient advocacy agencies.
- Path: Nursing degree, clinical experience, and optional certification in patient advocacy or healthcare leadership.
- Timeline: Approximately 4 years.
What Is a Nurse Advocate?
A nurse advocate is a registered nurse (RN) who takes on the critical role of speaking up for patients receiving care, making sure their needs are met and they get the treatment they truly deserve.
Unlike bedside nurses, patient advocates don’t focus on carrying out individual treatment procedures, but rather on guiding patients through the healthcare system and protecting their rights every step of the way.
Wondering about the typical patients you’ll work with in this field? Here are some examples of patients an advocate nurse might work with:
- Patients with limited health literacy who struggle to understand medical terminology or their care options
- Families of critically ill patients considering hospice or palliative care options
- Low-income or uninsured patients seeking resources and support for affordable treatment
- Patients who are victims of medical errors or who have safety concerns and need someone to advocate for their rights
- Individuals from diverse cultural or language backgrounds who need culturally competent care and translation support
- LGBTQ+ patients who may face bias or require sensitive, affirming advocacy to ensure equitable treatment
- Elderly or disabled clients who need a nursing home advocate to intervene in cases of neglect or abuse and protect their rights within the facility
What Does a Nurse Advocate Do?
A nurse advocate’s day revolves around ensuring patients are heard, understood, and supported throughout their healthcare journey. While their duties can vary depending on the setting, nurse advocates typically perform the following tasks:
- Guide patients through the healthcare system, explaining procedures, care plans, and treatment options in plain language.
- Protect patient rights whenever a patient’s wishes are overlooked or safety concerns arise.
- Facilitate communication between patients, families, and healthcare teams to prevent misunderstandings.
- Assist with decision-making when navigating tough choices, from treatment options to end-of-life care.
- Connect patients with resources, such as financial assistance, community programs, and specialized support services.
- Identify and address barriers to care, whether that’s language differences, cultural differences, discrimination, or lack of insurance coverage.
- Advocate for positive changes within hospitals, clinics, and community health programs to improve patient experiences and outcomes. Also be a vocal healthcare advocate for changes on a policy level.
Where Do They Work?
Nurse advocates can be found in a wide range of healthcare settings where patients may face complex care decisions or need help in voicing their needs. Common workplaces include the following:
- Large hospitals and health systems
- Outpatient clinics
- Community health centers
- Behavioral health facilities
- Long-term care facilities
- Palliative care centers
- Hospices
- Patient advocacy organizations
- Government organizations
How to Become an Advocate Nurse
Intrigued by this unique nursing specialty and the career opportunities it offers? Here’s a breakdown of the steps required to turn your passion for helping patients into a profession:
1. Get a Nursing Degree
You’ll begin your journey by completing an accredited nursing program — either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Both pathways provide the foundational knowledge and hands-on clinical skills needed to practice as an entry-level nurse.
Trying to decide which degree fits your goals? While an ADN typically takes less time to complete, if you’re aiming for leadership opportunities or specialized roles like nurse advocacy, earning a BSN can give you a competitive edge.
2. Obtain Licensure
Once you graduate, your next step is to prepare for the NCLEX-RN, which is a national certification exam that assesses your preparedness to practice nursing safely. Passing this exam is required to earn your registered nurse (RN) license, which you must have to work in any clinical nursing role.
3. Gain Experience
Before moving into highly specialized roles that demand advanced knowledge of clinical care and patient needs, it’s helpful to get plenty of hands-on experience first. Many nurses start in specialties that expose them to patients with diverse care needs, helping them build essential skills like patient assessment, documentation, and medication administration. This helps provide a strong, well-rounded foundation for future roles. Here are some examples of such specialties:
- Medical-surgical nursing
- Critical care
- Intensive care unit care
- Emergency room nursing
- Progressive care
- Trauma nursing
4. Attain Nurse Advocate Certification (Optional)
While certification is not required to work as a nurse advocate, earning one can enhance your credibility and open the door to more opportunities. The Patient Advocate Certification Board (PACB) offers the Board Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA) credentials.
Additionally, there are certifications for nurse leaders, such as the Nurse Executive Board Certified (NE-BC) or Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML), offered by the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL).
5. Pursue Advanced Education (Optional)
If you want to expand your expertise, improve your earning potential, or move into leadership and policy-making roles, pursuing advanced education can be a smart step. Options include:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): Specialize in leadership, administration, or public health to help strengthen your advocacy skills.
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): Get prepared for high-level clinical leadership and system-wide healthcare improvements.
- Post-graduate certificates: Learn more about targeted knowledge areas such as healthcare law, ethics, or patient safety.
What Is a Nurse Advocate Salary?
The typical RN patient advocate salary in the U.S. is about $64,000 per year, but it depends on your education, experience, type of employment setting, and geographic location.
Looking for the best-paying locations for nurses? Here are the states with some of the highest average wages for RNs:
Frequently Asked Questions: Nurse Advocate
What does nurse advocate training look like?
Training to become a patient advocate usually builds upon your existing nursing education and clinical experience. You’ll then need to study various topics relevant to the new role, such as ethical principles, patient rights, healthcare laws, communication, conflict resolution, and care coordination. Nurses can enhance their skills through continuing education courses, workshops, or by earning specialized certifications such as the BCPA.
What is an advocate in nursing?
A term “advocate” in nursing refers to an RN who supports and speaks up for patients to ensure they receive safe, effective, and respectful care. These professionals coordinate care and help patients understand their diagnoses, treatment options, and rights.
What is the career outlook for nurses in this field?
The demand for registered nurses — including those focusing on patient advocacy — is projected to grow by 6% over the next decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This rate is faster than the average for all occupations.
How is a nurse advocate different from a patient advocate?
Nurse advocates are RNs who use their knowledge of clinical care as well as healthcare systems operations to support patients through their care journey. In contrast, a patient advocate is a broader role that can include family members, friends, or other professionals who assist patients in navigating the healthcare system.
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