When you hear the word "nurse," what picture comes to mind? Florence Nightingale? The image of a white-capped figure in a white dress? Someone who takes your temperature, measures your blood pressure and brings you your medicine when you're sick?

Nowadays, nurses come in both genders and have traded in their white uniforms for more comfortable scrubs. Although they do monitor your vital signs, give you medication and take care of many of your physical needs, their duties are much more far-reaching. Your nurse is your caretaker, confidante and protector. Your nurse does not just care for you physically, but also guides you, supports you and protects your rights.

Your nurse's role

Like your doctor, your nurse keeps your medical information confidential. You should feel free to talk to your nurse about any concerns, fears or problems you may have.

Patients often fear the unknown. To relieve this fear, your nurse helps you to learn about your condition, make your own decisions and take as much control as possible of your own care. Your nurse carefully explains new and unfamiliar procedures and treatments and helps you make your own decisions by allowing you to ask questions, express your feelings and consider your options.

The nurse as advocate

According to the American Nursing Association Code of Ethics, "The nurse promotes, advocates for and strives to protect the health, safety and rights of the patient."

Your nurse works on your behalf, making sure you are an active participant in planning and deciding what type of treatment you'll have, and then safeguarding your right to have the treatment you've chosen.

Nurses are advocates for all patients, including those who cannot help themselves. This includes those who don't speak English, the very young and the very old, the mentally or emotionally impaired or those who lack adequate financial or human resources. In situations like these, the nurse is there to help give a voice to those who are unable to speak for themselves.

Below are several examples of how nurses protect the interests of their patients.

• An uninsured homeless man is being released from the hospital, but has no one to care for him and nowhere to go. The nurse calls a social service organization and makes arrangements for his care.

• A mother-to-be in labor is pleading for an epidural, but no doctor is available who is qualified to give her the injection. Her nurse makes numerous pages and phone calls, not giving up until she reaches an anesthesiologist who can provide the patient with the requested pain medication.

• A nurse suspects that a child in her care has been the victim of abuse. She reports her suspicions to Family Services.

Whether you are visiting your doctor for a routine physical, entering a clinic for an outpatient test or procedure, or being admitted to the hospital for surgery, remember that your nurse is there not just to care for your health, but to guard and defend your rights.

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External Sources American Nursing Association Code of Ethics National Institutes of Health Taylor, C., Lillis, C., & LeMone, P. (2005). Fundamentals of Nursing. (5th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.