Author – Pennie Sessler Branden
First published – 2012
Major Concepts
To Advocate
- Promote
- Facilitate
- Empower
Typology
A theoretical, pragmatic model of advocacy for nurses and health professionals.
Description
Advocacy is a critical component of nursing, though many do not fully realize or understand its multiple components. The research that led to the development of this theoretical model defines advocacy as the efforts of a nurse representing, pleading or supporting a cause or case to produce a desired change at any level of healthcare, healthcare systems and/or health policy. Nurses may recognize this definition and value the need to advocate but believe that the process and requisite efforts may be too onerous to pursue. Thus, the researcher fully examined the role and components of nurse advocacy which led to development of the Sessler Branden Advocacy Theory (SBAT) as illustrated above.
This theoretical model is designed to offer nurses a practical, useable understanding of the steps necessary to fully embrace and understand the role of the advocate and stimulate interest in adopting the advocate role. This theoretical model can assist nurses to be successful advocates, by delineating the steps and decision-making points necessary for successful advocacy. In short, the theoretical model can assist nurses to bring about change for their clients, organizations and communities through their advocacy efforts,
The SBAT is a simple yet dynamic, nonlinear process that begins at the base of the matrix with an assessment of the personal traits of the nurse and the environmental/organizational characteristics in which the change is desired. This critical step will determine whether the nurse decides to advocate or not.
Once the decision to advocate is made the nurse advances to the center of the matrix (the larger triangle) to identify strengths and barriers and potential strategies to use for successful advocacy. The three smaller triangles within the larger one call for the identification of specific goals and strategies that are critical to success of the intended advocacy objective. The specific number of these goals varies on the ultimate outcome of the advocacy effort.
The arrows within the matrix demonstrates the interconnectedness of the necessary efforts and identified objectives for the desired change. Advocacy is not linear but hinges on continuous assessment of desired progress at each tier before moving ahead. Fluidity is at the core of the model.
The “halo” (or arcs) above the matrix represents the potential impact of advocacy efforts. The model can be used for advocacy at the local levels as well as global efforts. The essential components to effect change are similar. Regardless of the scope of the advocacy effort, it is essential to recognize that advocates may need to engage a wide range of individuals, groups, organizations, communities, and potentially national, international, and global partners. Although this may seem complex, the process, if done in a stepwise fashion, is not difficult. The model is designed to provide the nurse with clear understanding of the steps, strategies and commitment necessary for successful advocacy.
Primary Source(s)
Sessler Branden, P. (2012). The Nurse as Advocate: A Grounded Theory Perspective. ProQuest LLC.
Branden, P. S. (2012). The nurse as advocate: A grounded theory perspective. Villanova University.
Branden, P. S. (2021). Exemplar: The Nurse as Advocate: The Sessler Branden Advocacy Theory (SBAT). In Developing Grounded Theory (pp. 45-76). Routledge.
About the Author – Pennie Sessler Branden, PhD, FACNM, CNM, FNYAM, CNE, RN, Sigma ENFLA Scholar,
Clinical Professor, Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing
Dr. Pennie Sessler Branden’s love of maternal child health and the rights for healthcare by all women and their families have always guided her decisions in nursing and midwifery, clinically and academically. She graduated from nursing school and worked in Oncology nursing before going into Women’s Health/Labor and Delivery. She attended Columbia University for her Master’s in Maternal Child Health and a certificate in Nurse Midwifery after which she worked in women’s healthcare for working class poor and underserved communities as a certified nurse midwife. Later she attended Villanova University for her PhD in Nursing Education with her dissertation work on the Nurse as Advocate. Her experience includes leadership, advocacy, and education nationally and globally, for which she has received numerous awards. Dr. Sessler Branden has been a Liaison to the United Nations and is always a mentor to colleagues and students.