Grading Rubric And Sample Table For This Discussion

Grading Rubric And Sample Table For This Discussion Questionclassafte

Discuss how professional nursing organizations support the field of nursing, how they advocate for nursing practice, and explain the value these organizations have in advocacy and activism related to patient care. Additionally, incorporate supporting information from the provided readings, articles, and videos, emphasizing the importance of advocacy and activism as responsibilities of nurses today. Your responses should be well-supported by scholarly sources, include proper APA citations, and go beyond personal opinions to demonstrate critical understanding of the role of nursing organizations in professional development, practice advocacy, and patient-centered activism.

Paper For Above instruction

Professional nursing organizations serve as vital pillars in the advancement and support of the nursing profession, providing resources, standards, and a collective voice to influence policy, education, and practice standards. These organizations, such as the American Nurses Association (ANA), the National League for Nursing (NLN), and specialty-specific groups, support the field of nursing by offering continuing education opportunities, establishing ethical standards, and promoting research that advances nursing science (American Nurses Association [ANA], 2015). By fostering professional development, these organizations help nurses stay current with evolving healthcare practices and ensure a high quality of patient care.

Advocacy is a core function of professional nursing organizations, which work to influence health policy, improve working conditions, and promote safe and equitable care environments. For example, the ANA’s advocacy efforts include lobbying for legislative changes that protect nurses’ scope of practice, such as advocating for full practice authority for nurse practitioners (ANA, 2019). These organizations serve as a collective voice to represent the interests of nurses at local, state, and national levels. Through policy statements, lobbying activities, and public campaigns, they advocate for legislation that benefits both nurses and patients, ensuring that healthcare policies align with evidence-based practices and ethical standards (Barden et al., 2020).

The value of professional nursing organizations in advocacy and activism extends significantly to improving patient care. By promoting policies that address social determinants of health, healthcare disparities, and accessibility, these organizations empower nurses to become effective advocates for their patients. For instance, the ANA’s commitment to health equity involves campaigns that highlight disparities in care delivery and promote culturally competent practices (ANA, 2020). Nurses, equipped with the support and resources from these organizations, can engage in activism that leads to meaningful policy changes, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes and fostering a more just healthcare system.

In addition to policy advocacy, nursing organizations foster a culture of activism among nurses by encouraging involvement in community outreach, health education, and lobbying efforts. Such activism not only benefits individual patients but also contributes to systemic change by raising awareness about critical health issues. An example includes campaigns addressing opioid addiction, vaccination efforts, and mental health awareness, where nurses play a pivotal role in community mobilization (Schmidt et al., 2021). The organizations provide a platform for nurses to develop leadership skills and engage in advocacy projects that ultimately shape healthcare practices and policies affecting patient care.

Furthermore, many nursing organizations emphasize the importance of ethical advocacy, encouraging nurses to act as patient advocates within clinical settings. This involves ensuring patient rights are protected, informing patients about their options, and defending vulnerable populations against disparities or discrimination (American Nurses Association, 2015). The role of these organizations in supporting ethical advocacy reinforces the moral obligation of nurses to advance patient-centered care through active participation in policy development and activism.

In conclusion, professional nursing organizations are fundamental in supporting the growth and development of nursing as a profession. They advocate for nurses by influencing policy, promoting ethical practice, and empowering activism related to patient care. Their role extends beyond individual practice to systemic change that enhances healthcare quality, safety, and equity. Nurses, supported by these organizations, are better equipped to serve as advocates, champions for policy reform, and activists committed to improving healthcare outcomes for all populations.

References

• American Nurses Association. (2015). Nursing: Scope and standards of practice. ANA Publishing.
• American Nurses Association. (2019). Advocacy. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/advocacy/
• American Nurses Association. (2020). Addressing health disparities. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/advocacy/health-equity/
• Barden, A., Casanova, M., & Linders, A. (2020). The role of nursing organizations in policy advocacy. Journal of Nursing Politics and Policy, 12(3), 35-50.
• Schmidt, S., Johnson, R., & Lee, H. (2021). Community activism in nursing: Addressing public health issues. Public Health Nursing, 38(2), 165-173.
• American Nurses Association. (2019). Nurses' roles in health policy. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/advocacy/nurses-roles/
• Barnett, T., & Cherniske, G. (2018). Building nurse advocacy skills for policy change. Nursing Outlook, 66(2), 135-142.
• National League for Nursing. (2016). Advancing nurse participation in policy advocacy. https://www.nln.org/
• World Health Organization. (2020). The importance of nursing leadership in health policy. https://www.who.int/ncds/governance/healthpolicy/nursingleadership
• Hebert, L., & McDonald, M. (2017). Ethical practice and advocacy in nursing: A review. Journal of Nursing Ethics, 23(4), 412-423.