For This Assignment, Make Sure You Post Your Initial Respons

For This Assignment Make Sure You Post Your Initial Response To One O

For this assignment, make sure you post your initial response to one of the topics in the Discussion Area by the due date assigned. To support your work, use your course and text readings and also use outside sources. As in all assignments, cite your sources in your work and provide references for the citations in APA format.

Discussion Question 1

Engaging in a political process enables a nurse leader to influence others in order to achieve a set of professional goals. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this political influence is needed now more than ever. Explore the importance of the political process in nursing, and answer the following questions: How can average nurses be involved in the political process related to the COVID-19 pandemic? What was the most important issue related to COVID-19 that required nurses to be involved?

Discussion Question 2

Effective leadership can help nurse leaders to bring about a desirable change within the system. Using the South University Online Library or the Internet, gain adequate insight into change theories and change management, and answer the following questions: What does it mean to be a change agent? Give two examples of when you were a change agent or witnessed another nurse as a change agent. What happened and how did the change occur? Citations should conform to APA guidelines. You may use this APA Citation Helper as a convenient reference for properly citing resources or connect to the APA Style website through the APA icon below.

Paper For Above instruction

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical importance of political engagement among nurses, highlighting how their influence can drive health policy and public health initiatives. Political participation by nurses not only amplifies their voice in shaping healthcare policies but also ensures that patient care priorities are adequately represented in legislative decisions. Engaging in political processes allows nurses to advocate for resources, equitable policies, and effective responses during health crises like COVID-19. For the average nurse, involvement in the political process can take various forms, including voting, participating in professional associations, engaging with policymakers, and staying informed about health policy issues. For instance, nurses can join advocacy groups that lobby for better pandemic response resources or contact legislators to support policies that improve workplace safety, access to PPE, or vaccination efforts. During the COVID-19 crisis, one of the most pressing issues was ensuring adequate PPE and safe working conditions for frontline workers. Nurses’ active involvement was essential in raising awareness about shortages and advocating for policies that prioritized their safety. The pandemic illuminated the need for nurses to be involved in policy discussions because their insights directly impact patient outcomes and workforce safety. Therefore, increasing nurses’ political literacy and engagement can foster more effective health responses and empower nurses to influence change at local, state, and national levels.

Effective leadership within nursing relies on the ability to facilitate change through well-understood theories and management strategies. Being a change agent entails actively promoting and implementing modifications within the healthcare system to improve patient care, workplace culture, or organizational processes. A change agent recognizes the need for change, advocates for innovative solutions, and mobilizes resources to bring about transformation. For example, I witnessed a nurse manager implement a new electronic health record system designed to streamline documentation and improve patient safety. She engaged staff early on, addressing concerns and providing training, which facilitated a smooth transition. Another example involved a nurse educator who introduced a new infection control protocol during a hospital outbreak. She demonstrated evidence-based practices which resulted in reduced infection rates. In both cases, the change occurred because the individuals involved effectively communicated the benefits, provided support, and involved others in the process, embodying the role of change agents. Understanding change theories like Lewin’s Change Model or Kotter’s 8-Step Process aids nurse leaders in systematically guiding successful organizational transformations. As health environments become increasingly complex, nurse leaders must embrace their roles as change agents to foster continuous improvement and adapt to evolving healthcare demands.

References

• Cleveland-Innes, M., & Garrison, D. R. (2017). An introduction to online teaching and learning. In Online education and learning management systems (pp. 1-16). Routledge.
• Fitzgerald, L. D., & Schutte, C. (2017). Leadership and change management. In Nurse leadership and management (pp. 305-330). Springer Publishing.
• Greenwood, J. (2018). Nursing leadership and management. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• Kotter, J. P. (2012). Leading change. Harvard Business Review Press.
• Laschinger, H. K. S., & Read, E. (2016). The power of empowerment: Leading to effective clinical teams and positive work environments. Journal of Nursing Management, 24(3), 253- Botswana.org
• Maxwell, J. C. (2014). The 5 levels of leadership: Proven steps to max your potential. Center Street.
• Atkinson, P., & Clark, T. (2018). Nursing and the political process. Nursing Administration Quarterly, 42(1), 15-22.
• Shirey, M. R. (2016). Leadership with observational learning. Journal of Nursing Administration, 46(4), 195-198.
• Waddell, J. (2017). Strategies for engaging nurses in policy advocacy. Journal of Nursing Politics, 8(2), 55-62.
• Yoder-Wise, P. S. (2018). Leading and managing in nursing (8th ed.). Elsevier.