Accountability and Accessibility in Nursing: A Mini Literature Review

Abigail Mitchell, Sharon Mang.

Abstract

Accountability and accessibility are essential principles that shape nursing practice and influence the quality and equity of patient care. Accountability refers to nurses’ ethical, professional, and legal responsibility to provide safe, competent, and evidence-ased care, while accessibility reflects patients’ ability to obtain timely, equitable, and appropriate healthcare services. This mini literature review synthesizes peer-reviewed research published between 2020 and 2025 to examine the relationship between accountability and accessibility in nursing practice. Findings reveal a complex interplay between these concepts, particularly in settings characterized by high acuity, workforce shortages, and limited resources, where nurses must balance professional standards with systemic barriers to care. Understanding how these principles intersect is essential for improving patient outcomes, strengthening professional integrity, and informing healthcare leadership and policy initiatives.