RNPA'S MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to empower people in their health care through advocacy, education and guidance through the health care system.

• ADVOCATE - RNPA works cooperatively with the doctors, nurses, health care facilities and associated caregivers as the patient's advocate.  Our years of experience ensure that proper medical measures are utilized in a timely fashion.  Family and patient needs and priorities are respected and followed as closely as possible.
   
• PROTECT - RNPA protects the rights of the patient to safe, thorough, and appropriate health care.  Our role also serves to support the MDs and RNs by helping to prevent errors and spotting complications before they become problematic.
  
• EDUCATE - RNPA empowers the patient and family with in-depth information regarding disease process, medications and treatments.  Options for treatment are also explained and discussed to ensure that each patient can make the best informed choices for his/her care.
   
• GUIDE - RNPA assists the patient and family through the maze of health care providers and programs necessary to complete the course of treatment.  The capabilities and range of services of the various health care providers are explained in addition to the insurance coverage requirements.

Our Founder

KAREN MERCEREAU, RN
brings more than 35 years of clinical nursing, community and home-based health care delivery, and patient advocacy experience to RN Patient Advocacy. For 20+ years she specialized in critical care nursing. Her expertise has always been in the recognition of nursing as a dynamic process and in the development of systems reflecting that in the ever-changing world of health care. This focus led her to such diverse activities as serving as a clinical instructor to paramedics and then to hospice care, serving as part of the team at the first hospice in Tucson, Arizona.

During the 80's Karen led a nationally recognized task force on credentialing - to assure the most appropriate care to patients and to provide a career path for RN's reflecting both education and clinical experience. The Joint Commission of Hospital Accreditation recognized the task force results for their excellence.  Karen's areas of expertise and leadership extend to the establishment of healthcare delivery systems for HIV-AIDS patients.

Karen has now established RN Patient Advocates continuing her role as a healthcare innovator.  This program provides for the improved safety and education of the hospitalized patient at a time when medical errors are resulting in spiraling numbers of patient complications and deaths. She recognizes this as a phenomenon of medicine for profit, not as a result of poor doctors and nurses. Karen is known for her ability to function effectively in complex circumstances, keeping the safety of her patients foremost in advocating on their behalf with multiple providers.

Ms. Mercereau is a member of the American Nurses Association and the Arizona Nurses Association. She serves in a volunteer role as a docent at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum.