Nurses Often Become Motivated To Change Aspects Withi 542256 ✓ Solved

Nurses Often Become Motivated To Change Aspects Within The Larger Heal

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 (Illinois), 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 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, which can be found in the APA Style Guide. This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion. You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Nursing professionals are uniquely positioned within the healthcare system to serve as advocates for policy change that improves patient outcomes and healthcare practices. Their firsthand experience provides valuable insights into systemic issues that require legislative intervention. This paper explores a significant healthcare concern in Illinois—a gap in mental health services for adolescents—highlighting the importance of advocacy through legislative means to address this pressing issue.

Problem Identification

The expansion of mental health services for adolescents in Illinois is a crucial challenge. Despite the rising prevalence of mental health disorders among youth, access to specialized care remains limited, especially in rural and underserved communities. According to recent studies, Illinois ranks below the national average in adolescent mental health service availability, resulting in adverse outcomes such as increased hospitalization rates and suicide risk (Illinois Department of Public Health, 2022). The lack of adequate resources and funding hampers early intervention and prevention efforts crucial for this vulnerable population.

Legislative Advocacy as a Solution

Advocacy through legislation offers a strategic approach to address this healthcare gap. By influencing policy changes, nurses can advocate for increased funding, expansion of school-based mental health programs, and incentives for mental health professionals to serve in underserved areas. Legislation such as the "Illinois Youth Mental Health Act" can be pivotal if strengthened and properly implemented (American Nurses Association, 2021). Nurses can serve as policymakers, liaisons, and community leaders advocating for these legislative reforms, thus creating sustainable improvements in adolescent mental health care.

Research and Evidence

Recent research underscores the importance of legislative advocacy. A study by Johnson et al. (2020) emphasizes that nurse-led advocacy efforts positively influence mental health policy reforms. Similarly, reports from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA, 2022) highlight that states with proactive nurse advocacy initiatives demonstrate improved mental health service coverage. Furthermore, community-based participatory research has shown that nurses can effectively mobilize community resources and influence policymakers to enact supportive legislation (Brown & Lee, 2019).

Strategies for Advocacy

Nurses can employ multiple strategies for effective legislative advocacy, including lobbying, participation in public hearings, and forming coalitions with community organizations. Education campaigns aimed at legislators and the public are also crucial for building support. Utilizing professional nursing organizations such as the Illinois Nurses Association provides a platform for unified advocacy efforts. Additionally, integrating policy education into nursing curricula prepares future nurses for active legislative participation (Smith, 2020).

Conclusion

Addressing adolescent mental health disparities in Illinois requires concerted advocacy efforts through legislation. Experienced nurses, leveraging their clinical insights and community engagement, play a vital role in shaping policies that facilitate access to mental health services. Such legislative advocacy not only benefits adolescents but also strengthens the overall healthcare system, fostering equitable and effective care delivery.

References

• American Nurses Association. (2021). Policy statement: nursing advocacy and policy. ANA Press.
• Brown, T., & Lee, R. (2019). Nurse-led advocacy and policy development: A systematic review. Journal of Nursing Policy and Practice, 12(3), 45-53.
• Illinois Department of Public Health. (2022). Annual report on adolescent mental health services. IDPH Publications.
• Johnson, M., Arnett, J., & Smith, L. (2020). Impact of nurse advocacy on mental health policy reform. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 76(4), 944-956.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2022). Mental health services and advocacy. SAMHSA Reports.
• Smith, D. (2020). Preparing nurses for policy advocacy: Educational strategies and challenges. Nursing Education Perspectives, 41(2), 114-118.