Transforming Patient Outcomes Through Nursing: A Comprehensive Review of Roles in Care, Advocacy, and Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Abstract

Nursing plays a pivotal role in transforming patient outcomes through a multifaceted combination of direct care, advocacy, and interdisciplinary collaboration. As frontline caregivers, nurses deliver holistic and evidence-based interventions that address physical, emotional, and psychosocial needs, significantly influencing patient safety and satisfaction. Beyond the clinical setting, nurses act as advocates, safeguarding patient rights, ensuring ethical decision-making, and amplifying the voices of vulnerable populations within complex healthcare systems. Their participation in interdisciplinary teams fosters effective communication, enhances continuity of care, and supports integrated treatment plans that improve overall health outcomes. However, challenges such as workforce shortages, limited recognition in policy-making, and barriers to advanced education constrain the full realization of nursing’s potential. This comprehensive review synthesizes recent literature on the evolving roles of nurses, highlighting their contributions to quality care, patient advocacy, and collaborative practice. It also identifies emerging opportunities, including digital health integration, leadership expansion, and global health initiatives, that position nurses as catalysts for systemic change. Strengthening the recognition, education, and empowerment of nurses is essential to advancing healthcare delivery and achieving sustainable improvements in patient outcomes worldwide.