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Analyze the expanded duties of nurses as outlined in the American Nurses Association provisions 7-9, focusing on how nurses contribute beyond individual patient encounters through research, standards development, and policy advocacy. Discuss the ethical considerations in research involving vulnerable populations and how professional standards guide practice across diverse settings. Explore the role of nurses in advocating for health as a human right, addressing health disparities, and collaborating in complex healthcare environments. Also, examine the importance of maintaining the integrity of the nursing profession and promoting social justice within health policy frameworks.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

The role of nurses extends far beyond direct patient care, encompassing contributions to research, development of professional standards, and advocacy for health policies that promote social justice and health equity. The American Nurses Association (ANA) provisions 7-9 articulate a comprehensive framework emphasizing nurses' commitment to advancing the profession and promoting health at national and global levels. Understanding these responsibilities highlights the necessity for nurses to be active participants in research, policy-making, and ethical practices that safeguard vulnerable populations and uphold human rights.

Contributions Beyond Individual Patient Encounters

Nurses play a vital role in expanding the body of nursing knowledge through scholarly activity that adheres to ethical standards, especially when involving vulnerable populations such as low-income groups, persons with disabilities, and prisoners. These groups often face systemic barriers to healthcare and are at increased risk for exploitation in research studies. Ethical guidelines, including informed consent, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice, must be rigorously applied to protect these populations. Institutional review boards (IRBs) oversee research involving human subjects, ensuring compliance with national standards and prioritizing patient welfare over research findings (Beauchamp & Childress, 2013).

Furthermore, nurses contribute by developing, maintaining, and implementing professional standards that ensure safe, competent, and ethical practice across diverse healthcare environments. These standards serve as a foundation for quality care and evidence-informed practice (ANA, 2015). For example, standards related to infection control, patient safety, and cultural competence guide nurses in delivering equitable care tailored to individual patient needs, regardless of setting or socio-economic context.

Advocacy and Policy Development

Nurses also influence health policy at institutional, community, state, and national levels. Advocacy efforts focus on addressing social determinants of health, reducing disparities, and ensuring equitable access to healthcare services. Incorporating health policy education within nursing curricula is essential to empower nurses as advocates; professional organizations amplify these voices through collective action (Leeder, 2014). Advocacy entails not just speaking out but actively participating in policy discussions, testifying before legislative bodies, and engaging with community stakeholders to promote health as a human right.

The concept of health as a universal right underscores the moral obligation of nurses to champion policies that strive for health equity. This includes advocating for clean water, adequate housing, education, and freedom from discrimination—factors that significantly impact health outcomes (World Health Organization, 2008). Nurses’ engagement in health diplomacy and international collaborations exemplifies their commitment to reducing global disparities and promoting social justice (Maben & Griffiths, 2016).

Ethical Principles and Justice in Research

When conducting research, especially with marginalized or vulnerable groups, nurses must uphold ethical principles—respect for persons, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice (Beauchamp & Childress, 2013). Ethical dilemmas may arise, such as balancing the potential benefits of research against the risks to participants or ensuring informed consent when language barriers or cognitive challenges are present. By adhering to guidelines from research ethics committees, nurses safeguard participant rights and maintain public trust in scientific inquiry (Smith, 2008).

Global Health and Social Justice

The global burden of disease disproportionately affects impoverished nations, where access to healthcare and resources is limited. WHO reports highlight stark disparities, with preventable diseases causing millions of deaths annually in low-income countries (World Health Organization, 2019). Nurses and health professionals worldwide must collaborate across borders to advocate for reductions in health inequities, fair distribution of resources, and investment in health research aligned with disease burden rather than purchasing power (Murray & Lopez, 2013).

Addressing ethical issues in global health includes confronting environmental hazards, social injustice, and systemic inequalities that exacerbate health disparities. Nurses are positioned uniquely to be advocates for vulnerable populations affected by war, climate change, and poverty, emphasizing their role in fostering social justice and human rights (Bryant et al., 2014).

The Profession’s Responsibility and Future Directions

Upholding the integrity of the nursing profession necessitates a collective voice that articulates core values—health promotion, prevention, alleviation of suffering, and social justice (ANA, 2015). Nurses must engage in continuing education, participate in research, advocate for equitable policies, and foster environments that support ethical and culturally sensitive practice. As healthcare systems evolve amidst complex challenges, nurses’ leadership in social justice initiatives and policy development remains critical to advancing health equity across local, national, and global contexts.

Conclusion

Nursing’s expanded responsibilities, as outlined in ANA provisions 7-9, emphasize a proactive stance in research, standards development, advocacy, and global health. Ethical conduct, social justice, and advocacy must underpin all efforts to improve health and reduce disparities. By embracing these roles, nurses will continue to be vital agents of positive change, upholding the profession’s integrity and ensuring health as a universal right for all.

References

• American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. ANA.
• Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2013). Principles of biomedical ethics (7th ed.). Oxford University Press.
• Bryant, J., Eatough, V., & Smith, J. (2014). The role of nurses in global health: Addressing inequalities and promoting social justice. Nursing Outlook, 62(1), 45-53.
• Leeder, S. (2014). Advocacy in nursing practice. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 46(1), 8-15.
• Maben, J., & Griffiths, P. (2016). The importance of nursing leadership in health policy and practice. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 72(2), 273-275.
• Murray, C. J. L., & Lopez, A. D. (2013). Measuring the global burden of disease. New England Journal of Medicine, 369(4), 336-345.
• Smith, L. (2008). How ethical is ethical research? Journal of Advanced Nursing, 62(2), 254-256.
• World Health Organization. (2008). The right to health. WHO Publication.
• World Health Organization. (2019). Global health estimates: Disease burden and disparities. WHO Report.
• Leeder, S. R. (2014). Advocacy in nursing practice. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 46(1), 8-15.