Nursing Advocacy Through Legislation
Identify a problem or concern in your state, community, or organization that has the capacity to be advocated through legislation. Research the issue and complete the sections below. For each topic that requires the listing of criteria, a minimum of two criteria should be identified and discussed. Add more rows as is appropriate for the topic/proposal.
| Problem
In no more than 250 words, describe the problem, who is affected, and the current ramifications. Explain the consequences if the issue continues. |
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| Nurse staffing levels in hospital settings is directly associated with patient outcomes. Nurse shortage occurs when there are too few nurses caring for a large number of patients. Nursing shortage increases mortality rates and the likelihood of medical errors. The problem affects nurses, patients, organizations and the healthcare system, Often, when nurses have too much to do, there are incidences of missed care, which affects overall patient care outcomes. The problem of having too few nurses and too many patients overwhelms the ability of nurses, and as a result patients are unable to receive the appropriate care, which leads to negative health outcomes (Griffiths et al., 2018). Also, the shortage of nurses leads to stress among nurses, further contributing to burnout and the lack of interest and motivation. Additionally, low staffing levels affects the organizations, since adverse patient outcomes lowers the credibility of an organization, while increasing the costs of handling the arising problems. People may also lose trust in the healthcare system. If not addressed, nursing shortage within hospitals will continue to negatively impact patient care, which will undermine the primary purpose of the healthcare system. | ||
| Idea for Addressing Solution
In no more than 250 words, outline your idea for addressing the issue and explain why legislation is the best course for advocacy. |
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| The implementation of is a vital strategy that can help address the issue of nursing shortage within healthcare settings. The ratio of nurses per patient will depend on the hospital departments. Through this, nurses will be able to provide appropriate care for their patients. More importantly, patient outcomes will improve. To advocate for mandatory staffing levels, legislation is the best course for advocacy since if a law that stipulates the minimum number of patients in particular department should serve, there is more likelihood of the law being observed. It will be highly unlikely for the legislative approach to be undermined. | ||
| Research the Issue
Perform research and compile information for your idea. Present substantive evidence-based findings that support your idea for addressing the problem (studies, research, and reports). Include any similar legislation introduced or passed in other states. |
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| Evidence 1 | According to a study by Olley et al. (2019), the number of patients that a nurse cares for determines the level of patient safety, and this influences patients’ outcomes. Thus, increasing staffing levels have benefits for the patients and the nurses. | |
| Evidence 2 | Nurse to patient ratios influence patient outcomes and according to Driscoll et al. (2018), better staffing levels improves patient outcomes. Increasing nurses in hospitals is likely to reduce hospital mortality. | |
| Similar legislation | California has implemented a state-wide mandatory nurse-to-patient ratios. It was the first state to implement this law. Improved ratios in California have been associated with lower mortality, lower nurse burnout, and better nurse retention. | |
| Stakeholder Support
Discuss the stakeholders who would support the proposed idea and explain why they would be in support. |
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| Stakeholder(s) Supporting 1 | Nurses are the primary stakeholders for this idea. This is because they are in the frontline in caring for patients, and the idea mainly focuses on their work. Nurses would support the idea of mandatory staffing levels, considering that it will reduce their workload, stress and incidences of burnout. This would increase their motivation, and as well increase nursing satisfaction. | |
| Stakeholder(s) Supporting 2 | Hospital administrators are the individuals who run the day to day activities of an organization. They are responsible for ensuring that nurses have the resources they need to provide efficient care. They would support the issue because it would reduce the amount of funds used to address adverse healthcare outcomes. This would increase organizational credibility thus increasing the amount of people who offer grants and loans to the organization. | |
| Stakeholder Opposition
Discuss the stakeholders who would oppose the proposed idea. Explain why they would be in opposition and how you would prepare to debate or converse about these considerations. |
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| Stakeholder(s) Opposed 1 | Hospital board members determine what should be implemented within an organization, and they are the force behind major financial decisions within the organization. Hospital board members therefore would oppose the idea on the grounds that it would increase costs of hiring new nurses. | |
| Stakeholder(s) Opposed 2 | Nurse executives have a senior administrative role within the organization. Nurse executives within the organization may also oppose this idea citing better approaches such as the development of undergraduate nursing education, and improvement of recruitment and retention approaches. | |
| A discussion with the opposing parties would be held to help acknowledge their views. While the issues arising such as costs and the availability of better approaches, the implementation of a law is likely to effectively address the issue of nursing shortages in hospitals. | ||
| Financial Incentives/Costs
In no more than 250 words, summarize the financial impact for the issue and the idea (added costs, cost savings, increased revenue, etc.). Provided support. |
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| Increased nurse to patient ratios within hospitals increases turnover rates and costs. Also, increased medical errors and adverse patient outcomes including mortality increased hospital costs since there may be litigations if there is justifiable negligence (Haddad & Toney-Butler, 2020). The implementation of mandatory staffing ratios will result in an increase in the cost of hiring more nurses. The provision of additional care will not result in additional revenue. Since a hospital that implements the required nurse-to-patient ratios does not receive additional reimbursement, implementing the idea may be difficult. Overall, the implementation of the proposed idea would increase the annual costs within a healthcare setting (Joaquin, 2019). | ||
| Legislature: Information Needed and Process for Proposal
Discuss the how to advocate for your proposal using legislation. Include the following: |
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| Provide the name and complete contact information for the legislator. | ||
| Describe the steps for how you would present this to your legislator. | To present the proposed idea to the legislator a policy brief outlining the problem and the solution will be prepared and sent to the legislator. The policy brief will contain personal perspectives in the issues, and the effects of the issue. | |
| Outline the process if your legislator chooses to introduce your idea as a bill to congress. | To introduce the idea as a bill to congress, the process will include:
· The text for the bill is developed. · The legislator will become the bill’s sponsor. · The bill is introduced whenever the House is in session by placing it in a special box. · The bill is assigned a number. · The bill’s title is read on the floor. · The bill is referred to the committee for markup, debating and voting. |
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| Christian Principles and Nursing Advocacy
In no more than 250 words, discuss how principles of a Christian worldview lend support to legislative advocacy in health care without bias. Be specific as to how these principles help advocate for inclusiveness and positive health outcomes for all populations, including those more vulnerable, without regard to gender, sexual orientation, culture, race, religion/belief, etc. |
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| According to Christianity, it is the responsibility of others to advocate for those in need. Thus, when one opts to advocate for a given course, the purpose would be to address the needs of the vulnerable populations. Patients in this care are vulnerable in their time of need, hence they need someone who can speak for them. Advocating for increased nurses in healthcare settings helps nurses in meeting individual needs and social needs of the patients. Social structures should not guide nursing practice, but rather, nurses should focus on ensuring that the marginalized in the community receive adequate care. | ||
