Posted: September 8th, 2023

Nurses have played a pivotal advocacy role throughout the COVID-19 pandemic

Nurses have played a pivotal advocacy role throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in ensuring a more efficient and patient-centered healthcare system. From the start of the global health crisis, nurses were indispensable in fighting the virus through vaccination efforts. They administered vaccines to countless individuals while providing compassionate care and reassurance that helped alleviate fears (Pérez, 2021). Beyond the clinical responsibilities, nurses conducted crucial health interviews and educated the public on the importance of immunization (World Health Organization [WHO], 2022).
The pandemic also accelerated the adoption of telemedicine, and nurses proved instrumental in its implementation (Polinski et al., 2020). Through virtual platforms, nurses were able to remotely monitor patients with chronic conditions, minimizing virus exposure while maintaining care (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2023). They conducted telehealth consultations and educated patients on effective technology use, enhancing accessibility and convenience (Health Resources and Services Administration [HRSA], 2022).
Additionally, nurses advocated for patients facing rising prescription drug costs exacerbated by pandemic supply issues (World Health Organization [WHO], 2023). They worked with healthcare providers to explore more affordable treatment options and drew attention to the challenges of high medication prices at both individual and organizational levels (American Nurses Association [ANA], 2022). Nurses continue pushing for prescription drug reforms prioritizing patient affordability and well-being (Pan American Health Organization [PAHO], 2023).
In summary, nurses have demonstrated unwavering resilience and dedication as patient advocates central to healthcare system improvements. Through vaccination support, telemedicine adoption, and prescription access advocacy, nurses reinforced their crucial position in shaping future healthcare delivery and policy (American Association of Colleges of Nursing [AACN], 2021). The pandemic highlighted nurses’ indispensable role, and their compassionate, solution-driven work will remain pivotal for years to come.

References
References:
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2021, May 17). Nurses on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.aacnnursing.org/News-Information/COVID-19/Nurses-on-the-Front-Lines
American Nurses Association. (2022, March 15). Nurses advocate for affordable prescription drugs. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/advocacy/state/prescriptions-drugs/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, February 2). Use of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7106a2.htm
Health Resources and Services Administration. (2022, April 12). The role of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.hrsa.gov/rural-health/coronavirus/telehealth
Pan American Health Organization. (2023, January 5). Access to medicines in the Americas. https://www3.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15799:access-to-medicines-in-the-americas&Itemid=42090&lang=en
Pérez, L. G. (2021). Nurses on the front lines against COVID-19: Their perspectives and recommendations. Nursing forum, 56(3), 527–534. https://doi.org/10.1111/nuf.12568
Polinski, J. M., Barker, T., Gagliano, N., Sussman, A., Brennan, T. A., & Shrank, W. H. (2020). Patients’ satisfaction with and preference for telehealth visits. Journal of general internal medicine, 35(1), 175–182. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-019-05115-7
World Health Organization. (2022, August 15). The role of nurses in vaccination. https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/the-role-of-nurses-in-vaccination
World Health Organization. (2023, March 3). Access to medicines and vaccines. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/access-to-medicines

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