Nurses Often Become Motivated To Change Aspects Within The ✓ Solved

Nurses Often Become Motivated To Change Aspects Within The

Nurses often become motivated to change aspects within the larger health care system based on their real-world experience. As such, many nurses take on an advocacy role to influence a change in regulations, policies, and laws that govern the larger health care system. For this assignment, identify a problem or concern in your state, community, or organization that has the capacity for advocacy through legislation. Research the issue and use the "Advocacy Through Legislation" template to complete this assignment. You are required to cite to a minimum of three sources to complete this assignment.

Sources must be published within the last 5 years and appropriate for the assignment criteria and relevant to nursing practice. While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines.

Paper For Above Instructions

Nursing is a profession inherently intertwined with patient advocacy and systemic improvements. Nurses, due to their unique vantage point within the healthcare continuum, are often at the forefront of identifying areas that necessitate change. Advocacy through legislation is an effective strategy for addressing pressing issues in the healthcare system, as nurses leverage their insights and experiences to influence policy reform. This paper explores a critical issue facing the nursing profession in the state of California: the nursing workforce shortage exacerbated by legislative barriers to entry for aspiring registered nurses (RNs).

The Nursing Workforce Shortage

The nursing workforce shortage is a pressing concern in California, where the demand for qualified nurses is growing rapidly due to an aging population and increasing healthcare needs. According to the California Board of Registered Nursing (CBRN), the state projects a shortfall of nearly 50,000 RNs by 2030 (CBRN, 2022). This shortage not only puts a strain on existing healthcare facilities but also compromises patient care and safety across the state. The legislative barriers, including stringent educational requirements and limited access to nursing programs, significantly hinder the influx of new nurses into the workforce.

Barriers to Entry

One significant barrier contributing to the nursing shortage is the limited availability of nursing program slots in educational institutions such as community colleges and universities. Many qualified applicants are turned away due to insufficient resources and faculty shortages. The cyclical nature of this issue is evident, as more nursing faculty are needed to train the next generation of nurses, yet many of them are retiring, and there are strict qualifications to become a nursing instructor (Institute of Medicine, 2016). Furthermore, the extensive waiting lists to enter nursing programs discourage potential applicants, thereby perpetuating the shortage.

Advocacy Through Legislation

Addressing the nursing workforce shortage necessitates active advocacy for legislative change to eliminate barriers that restrict entry into the field. One potential advocacy initiative could focus on increasing funding for nursing education programs within California. This funding could be earmarked for expanding nursing program capacities and hiring additional faculty. Additionally, advocating for legislation that establishes grant programs for nursing students—particularly those from underrepresented communities—could enhance enrollment and diversify the nursing workforce.

Another advocacy avenue may involve influencing policies that promote alternative pathways into nursing. With the increasing need for nurses, exploring options such as accelerated nursing programs, online nursing education, and apprenticeships can help bridge the gap. Legislative support for these alternative pathways can decrease entry delays for prospective nurses, allowing for a more robust, responsive workforce capable of meeting healthcare demands (Auerbach et al., 2018).

Research and Evidence

Research is pivotal in underpinning advocacy efforts. Studies have shown that addressing legislative barriers can substantially increase enrollment potential in nursing programs. For instance, a study by Auerbach et al. (2018) asserts that an increase in nursing faculty along with expanded educational financing leads to improved graduation rates and higher numbers of new RN entrants into the workforce. Leveraging such research will strengthen the advocacy initiative and provide compelling evidence to persuade legislators to adopt supportive measures.

Conclusion

The nursing workforce shortage in California is a complex issue driven by various factors, notably legislative barriers to entry. By engaging in advocacy through targeted legislative efforts aimed at expanding funding for nursing education and promoting alternative pathways into the profession, nurses can effectively address this urgent concern. As frontline healthcare providers, nurses possess the lived experience and insights essential for driving systemic change. Only through collaborative advocacy can we hope to resolve the nursing shortage and ensure safe and effective patient care in California's healthcare landscape.

References

• Auerbach, D. I., Buerhaus, P. I., & Staiger, D. O. (2018). The nursing workforce in California: A tale of three regions. Nursing Economic$, 36(1), 37-44.
• California Board of Registered Nursing. (2022). California Nursing Workforce: Report to the Legislature. Retrieved from www.rn.ca.gov
• Institute of Medicine. (2016). The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. The National Academies Press.
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2017). Advancing Healthcare Transformation: A New Era for Academic Nursing. Retrieved from www.aacnnursing.org
• Hassmiller, S. (2019). The Future of Nursing: A national imperative for public health. American Journal of Public Health, 109(9), 1180-1181.
• Lasater, K., & Valles, P. (2020). Addressing the nursing faculty shortage: creating more RNs. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 52(5), 614-622.
• National Council of State Boards of Nursing. (2020). Nursing Education Program Approval & Quality Assurance. Retrieved from www.ncsbn.org
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2021). The 2020 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses. Retrieved from www.hrsa.gov
• Watson, J. (2018). Caring science and the science of caring: A nursing perspective. Nursing Forum, 53(4), 517-524.
• World Health Organization. (2020). State of the World’s Nursing 2020: Investing in education, jobs, and leadership. Geneva: World Health Organization.