Advocacy, 'defacto' partner to neonatal nursing practice

Advocacy is married to nursing practice in every sense of the word. Woven through the very fabric of our practice, it is the demonstration of our responsibility to those in our care in an area where it is paramount. Neonatal care facilities generally accept that parents/guardians are the best advocates for their children and act in their best interest. At times social and family demands make it impractical for parents to be with an infant throughout each day and hence the concept of an advocate is most relevant. The level of vulnerability of the infant and parents in the neonatal unit in all aspects of care further strengthens the call for advocacy. Being an advocate in nursing not only refers to those in our care but relates to a wider effort to improve accessibility, excellence, research and overall service delivery. Advocacy within the profession of nursing and our codes of practice refers to organisational/management support for its nurses extending their role at a local and national level alike.