Education Requirements
All nurse specialty areas require an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and successfully pass the state’s NCLEX-RN exam. You do not need an advanced degree for this role.
Nurse advocates assist patients in understanding and making informed choices about the care they receive from physicians, health providers, and health facilities. They meet with patients and their families, then develop a plan based on the person’s medical needs, priorities, concerns, and finances. Nurse advocates answer their questions, address important issues, and intervene on their behalf. While all nurses are considered advocates, nurse advocates undergo additional training to develop their skills and knowledge.
All nurse specialty areas require an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and successfully pass the state’s NCLEX-RN exam. You do not need an advanced degree for this role.
Unlike other nurse specialties, there is no single path to become a nurse advocate. Instead, there are various educational programs that you can take to become certified.
For example:
Healthcare Liaison Inc - This program teaches advocates how to assist people in navigating the complexities of our healthcare system and give patients the tools to make informed choices. Only medically trained licensed providers may attend this program. Training is completed in nine months, where you learn about ethics, advocacy for complex cases in children, adults or seniors, insurance difficulties, and working with families of different cultures.
RN Patient Advocates, PLLC - This program is only open to registered nurses and teaches how to become an Independent Nurse Advocate (iRNPA). The program is based in Arizona and has a seven-month online training and a seven-day immersion residential training. Nurses must have five years of clinical nursing experience and an active license.
Cases with multi-level problems that may have multiple treatment options with financial or insurance issues. Patients can be of any age or ethnicity.
The National Association of Health Advocacy Consultants (ALPHA)