Florence Nightingale once stated that “Apprehension, uncertainty, waiting, expectation, fear of surprise, do a patient more harm than any other exertion.”  The Mother of Nursing knew that a nurse’s role is and will forever be more than bathing a patient, changing dressing, or giving medications.  Her quote shows that a nurse needs to exert his or her expertise on behalf of the patient that she cares for, as Ms. Nightingale explains “how very little can be done under the spirit of fear.”  She further expands on her beliefs on the role of the nurse by stating “Let whoever is in charge keep this simple question in her head – (not, how can I always do this right thing myself, but) how can I provide for the right thing to be always done?”  I found this definition in the American Heritage Dictionary:  “The act of pleading or arguing in favor of something, such as a cause, idea, or policy; active support.”  Although worded differently, the idea is the same with a simple noun – advocacy.  Advocacy is the epitome of nursing and now, just as Florence Nightingale had to fight for her place as a nursing advocate, we are facing the same challenges she faced nearly 100 years ago. 

 In September, in a small town called Kermit in Texas, two nurses are going to be facing a trial for advocating for the patients they cared for in the local hospital.  They reported inappropriate actions and care of a physician to the state medical board in order to prevent harm to their patients, and now, these nurses are being punished and persecuted for doing exactly what they are required to do by the American Nurses Association Standards of Care and the Texas Nurses Practice Act.  Spread this news, tell everyone you can, fight for our rights as a nurse to advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves, without being fearful of retaliation or persecution.

Read more about it at NewsWest9.com. 

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