What is the role of the baccalaureate-prepared nurse in policy, advocacy, and politics? Is the nurse’s role one of direct interventions within her or his population of interest, or does she/he have a role in the policy arena separate from patient care? If so, what is that role? Where does the baccalaureate-prepared nurse find resources to support political advocacy? What is the role of the baccalaureate-prepared nurse in policy, advocacy, and politics? Is the nurse’s role one of direct interventions within her or his population of interest, or does she/he have a role in the policy arena separate from patient care? If so, what is that role? Where does the baccalaureate-prepared nurse find resources to support political advocacy? What is the role of the baccalaureate-prepared nurse in policy, advocacy, and politics? Is the nurse’s role one of direct interventions within her or his population of interest, or does she/he have a role in the policy arena separate from patient care? If so, what is that role? Where does the baccalaureate-prepared nurse find resources to support political advocacy?
Please answer to each classmate with reference
Classmate1
Policies occur at the federal, state, and local levels. In the state of Connecticut, the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government have elected representatives considering policies and procedures to pass into law. However, the baccalaureate nurse has a role in the policy arena, separate from patient care. The baccalaureate nurses have a supportive role to inform the representatives of details in the policy. Advocacy is a critical component of policymaking, used to advance individual, population, and staff health efforts. The baccalaureate nurse’s role is “advocacy in the policymaking process, accomplished through lobbying. Lobbying is defined as attempting to influence policymaking in the legislative, and executive branches of government” (Nash et al., 2021, p. 266). Grassroots lobbying refers to encouragement in members of the public to reach out to policymakers in the legislative, and executive branches of the government, to influence policies (Nash et al., 2021). “Lobbying is a protected activity under the first amendment, providing the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances” (Nash et al., 2021, p. 267).
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2021), the objective of the baccalaureate-educated graduate nurse is to understand the identification of issues in healthcare, the development of healthcare policies and procedures; modifying healthcare policies and procedures; and the influence a registered nurse can have on the process. The baccalaureate nurse is involved in policies to shape the responses to organizational local, national, and global issues of equity, access, affordability, and social justice in healthcare (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2021, p.20). “Healthcare policies shape the nature, quality, and safety of the practice environment and professional nurses have a responsibility to participate in the political process and advocate for patients, families, communities, and the nursing profession, and change the healthcare system as needed (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2021).
At a state level, the CT Nurses Association (CNA) has quick links to watch the CT senate, house, and committee hearings live. The CT Nurses Association provides education on the legislative process, recognizing legislative members on our side, the chief nurse officer, director of nursing, and top nurse administrator. On the CT Nurses Association website, the baccalaureate can join a professional organization to participate in workplace or community committees and councils. At a national level, the American Nursing Association (ANA) department of government affairs (GOVA) has a federal advocacy program called RNAction. The program is a resource for baccalaureate registered nurses to learn about federal legislation impacting nurses, patients, and our nation, and informs nurses on the ANA role in the legislation at a national level. The website has a take-action link for registered nurses around the world to share their voices. Bedside Care is not the only way for nurses to make a difference in patients, their families, and the community’s lives.
References
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2021). The Essentials of Baccalaureate
Education for Professional Nursing Practice. Https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/Publications/BaccEssentials08.pdf.
Connecticut Nurses Association (CNA). (2020). Nursing Policy, Practice & Advocacy.
Https://ctnurses.org/policy-and-advocacy.
Nash, D. B., Skoufalos, A., Fabius, R. J., & Oglesby, W. H. (2021). Population Health:
Creating a Culture of Wellness Third Edition. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Classmate 2
The role of the baccalaureate-prepared nurse is involved with policy, advocacy, and politics. “Socially and economically disadvantaged populations, or colloquially the ‘have-nots’ in our society, are the most affected by public policy and can therefore benefit the most from policies that aim to improve social conditions that impact health” (Williams et al., 2018). Nursing is focusing on the health and well being of all types of people which is why it is so important for them to be involved in patient advocacy to promote justice and health equity among those who are disadvantaged. Nurses can educate patients and communities about their health and offer different approaches to treating medical conditions. As nurses we have the ability to stand up for our patients if we think something is not right. The nurse provides direct interventions within their population of interest by providing upstream approaches to either treat existing problems or prevent them from arising. For example, someone who is prediabetic and overweight will benefit from eating healthy and exercising so that they do not go into the diabetic category which comes with an array of additional health issues and may require insulin. We can also provide patients with information on free preventative healthcare screenings, discounted prescriptions for them, and so much more.
There are also higher roles where the nurse shifts from providing direct interventions into a role in the policy arena. Once a nurse is in a leadership role, they have the ability to promote advocacy for specific patient populations and even staff. For example, a nurse manager rarely participates in face to face patient care, however they absolutely influence how it is conducted. Being in this role allows the nurse to make relationships with stakeholders as well as policy makers. The nurse manager is able to communicate the needs of clients and staff with those who hold higher positions such as the director of nursing. Nurses can also participate on national boards, attend legislative sessions, support a local candidate and even take it as far as running for office or become a health policy nurse. The baccalaureate nurse can find resources to support political advocacy by visiting and joining the American Nurses Association online website. There they will find not only policy education but training resources as well. “Nurses interested in developing advocacy and social policy acumen are encouraged to explore resources and opportunities for education through the ANA; the Nurse Internship in Washington Program; the American Association of the Colleges of Nursing; and the National League for Nursing” (Williams et al., 2018).
