Interviewer: What is your role as an advocate for your target population for this healthcare program? Do you have input into design decisions? How else do you impact design?

 

K.S.: As per the American Nurses Association (ANA) (n.d.), advocacy, whether legislative or political, is at the core of nursing. The advocacy role in nursing is not about positions or titles but is a part of being a nurse. As the nurse leader and an advocate for nurses’ inclusion in the design, development, and implementation of the patient safety program for geriatric patients, I want to ensure that the program is patient- and person-centered with regards to the elderly patients’ and geriatric nurses’ preferences. I have a role in pushing for the inclusion of the nurses in the program as they can effectively voice the needs of the patients, their concerns, and their preferences with regard to the program. I have input into the design decisions as I am a nurse and have a better understanding of the state of geriatric patient safety and the current needs of each patient. I believe I can further influence the program’s design by encouraging other nurses to provide input in the safety program’s development.