Advocacy and Accountability: Ethical Principles for Medical Nurses

Abstract

Advocacy and accountability are fundamental ethical principles that guide the practice of medical nurses in their interactions with patients, colleagues, and the broader healthcare system. Advocacy emphasizes the nurse's role in championing patients' rights, ensuring they receive equitable, high-quality care, and empowering them to make informed decisions. Accountability, on the other hand, involves a commitment to professional standards, ethical decision-making, and transparency in practice. Together, these principles ensure that nursing care is patient-centered, ethical, and responsive to the complexities of modern healthcare. This paper explores the interplay between advocacy and accountability, examining their ethical dimensions and practical applications in nursing. It highlights strategies for fostering a culture of advocacy and accountability in clinical settings and discusses challenges such as resource constraints, moral distress, and institutional barriers.