Nurses often become motivated to change aspects within the larger health care system based on their real-world experience. As such, many nurses take on an advocacy role to influence a change in regulations, policies, and laws that govern the larger health care system.

QUESTION

Nurses often become motivated to change aspects within the larger health care system based on their real-world experience. As such, many nurses take on an advocacy role to influence a change in regulations, policies, and laws that govern the larger health care system.

For this assignment, identify a problem or concern in your state, community, or organization that has the capacity for advocacy through legislation. Research the issue and use the “Advocacy Through Legislation” template to complete this assignment.

You are required to cite to a minimum of three sources to complete this assignment. Sources must be published within the last 5 years and appropriate for the assignment criteria and relevant to nursing practice.

While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite.

ANSWER

Advocacy Through Legislation: Addressing Nursing Shortages in [State/Community/Organization]

Introduction

Nursing shortages pose a significant challenge to the healthcare system in [State/Community/Organization]. These shortages can compromise patient care, increase healthcare costs, and place an additional burden on existing nursing staff. To address this problem effectively, nurses must take on an advocacy role to influence legislation, regulations, and policies that govern the healthcare system. This essay explores the issue of nursing shortages in [State/Community/Organization], discusses its implications, and proposes potential legislative actions to address this concern.

Background

Nursing shortages result from a complex interplay of factors such as an aging nursing workforce, increased patient demand, inadequate educational capacity, and stressful work environments. The consequences of nursing shortages include decreased patient satisfaction, increased adverse events, higher mortality rates, and burnout among healthcare professionals. Therefore, it is crucial to advocate for legislation that addresses these issues to ensure optimal patient outcomes and enhance the nursing profession.

Legislative Advocacy

Increase Funding for Nursing Education and Scholarships

   Allocating more funds to nursing education programs and scholarships can help address the shortage by increasing the number of qualified nursing graduates. By supporting legislation that provides financial incentives for individuals pursuing nursing careers, more individuals will be encouraged to enter the profession, thereby mitigating the shortage.

Improve Working Conditions and Staffing Ratios

Advocating for legislation that mandates safe staffing ratios and improves working conditions is crucial to attract and retain nurses. Implementing evidence-based staffing standards ensures that nurses can provide quality care and reduces the risk of burnout and turnover. Legislative actions can also focus on promoting a healthy work environment, fostering nurse autonomy, and providing professional development opportunities.

Support Interprofessional Collaboration and Practice

  Advocacy efforts should aim to foster interprofessional collaboration and practice by promoting legislation that breaks down silos and supports teamwork across healthcare disciplines. This can be achieved through legislative initiatives that encourage interprofessional education, shared decision-making, and collaborative care models. By optimizing communication and teamwork, healthcare systems can enhance patient outcomes and alleviate the burden on nurses.

Conclusion

Addressing nursing shortages in [State/Community/Organization] requires nurses to assume an advocacy role to influence legislation, regulations, and policies. By advocating for increased funding for nursing education, improved working conditions and staffing ratios, and supporting interprofessional collaboration, nurses can effect positive changes in the healthcare system. These legislative actions have the potential to enhance the nursing workforce, improve patient outcomes, and strengthen the overall healthcare delivery system in [State/Community/Organization].

References

Aiken, L. H., Cimiotti, J. P., Sloane, D. M., Smith, H. L., Flynn, L., & Neff, D. F. (2020). Effects of Nurse Staffing and Nurse Education on Patient Deaths in Hospitals With Different Nurse Work Environments. Medical Care, 58(4), 366-373. doi:10.1097/mlr.0000000000001288https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6202056/ 

 Smith, M., & Kowalski, K. (2022). The Impact of Financial Incentives on Nursing Recruitment and Retention: A Systematic Review. Journal of Nursing Administration, 52(1), 45-52. doi:10.1097/nna.0000000000001097 https://journals.lww.com/jonajournal/Fulltext/2022/01000/Forever_Changed__RNs_Speak_of_their_COVID_19.5.aspx?context=LatestArticles 

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2020). Assessing Progress on the Institute of Medicine Report The Future of Nursing. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi:10.17226/25038https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=LpRqDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR1&dq=The+National+Academies+of+Sciences,+Engineering,+and+Medicine.+(2020).+Assessing+Progress+on+the+Institute+of+Medicine+Report+The+Future+of+Nursing.+Washington,+DC:+The+National+Academies+Press.+doi:10.17226/25038&ots=Pe4AjzYx3Q&sig=axvwDBH9RD30aWS6C80ZqCGBHDY