The National Black Nurses Association's mission is "to serve as the voice for Black nurses and diverse populations ensuring equal access to professional development, promoting educational opportunities and improving health." As a nurse with over twenty-seven years of experience, I have had the privilege of being an advocate for patients and caregivers on every level. As a frontline nurse, I have varied experiences ranging from skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and hospitals. One thing each entity has in common is that patients need to be cared for, educated, and advocated for in an effort to receive high-quality care.

For fourteen years, I had the opportunity to work with individuals suffering from mental health illness who were ages 18 and up. This segment of the population has historically been underserved. During my time in this field, I have advocated by being a liaison between doctors, insurance companies, outreach organizations, and pharmacies. My role was to ensure follow up appointments, assisted with availability of medication by either completing prior authorizations through insurance companies or getting them signed up with patient assistant programs in an effort to promote medication compliance and prevent recurrent hospitalizations, as well as referring them to outreach companies to assist with housing.

I currently work on a rehabilitation stroke unit and see individuals from diverse backgrounds who have experienced this life-altering event. It gives me the opportunity to educate them on ways to alleviate the recurrence of strokes by explaining the importance of lifestyle changes, medication compliance, continuing with therapy recommendations, as well as following up with their physician after discharge from the hospital. It is always rewarding seeing patients progress to a new level of health over time, whether it's mentally or physically, as well as them expressing how much they appreciate what you've done for them during a challenging time in their lives.

Another avenue of promoting education, improving health, and serving the community is by volunteering. I volunteer in the triage clinic and the dispensary department at M Power Ministries which is a faith-based organization that works with individuals to identify and overcome life's challenges. Working in the dispensary affords me the opportunity to educate patients regarding their medications, side effects, and possible adverse reactions, as well as any follow-up appointments. I also participate in community health fairs which are sponsored by churches and other organizations as they present themselves. This, too, gives me a chance to assist and educate those who are less fortunate and cannot afford proper healthcare. My definition of an advocate is one who chooses to stand in the gap for the patient(s) as well as caregivers. Throughout my years as a frontline nurse regardless of the position, patient care and advocacy is something I take pride in and will continue to strive to do.