Professional Nurses Are Well-Versed In The Nursing Process

Professional Nurses Are Well Versed In The Nursing Process Of Assessme

Professional nurses are well versed in the nursing process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation processes and, in direct contact with patients, represents valuable data for improved outcomes. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 emphasizes nursing in promoting leadership toward quality care of patients, including population health, addressing economic disparities, and employment satisfaction among healthcare workers (Milstead & Short, 2019). These concepts are mirrored in the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) report, The Future of Nursing, advocating for nurses to redesign healthcare systems in partnership with physicians and other healthcare providers through research, advocacy, and policy planning (Milstead & Short, 2019).

Motivating others toward positive results is a critical aspect of policy advocacy, which can improve access to care, increase efficiency, generate cost savings, and enhance patient outcomes—collectively termed efficacy (Glasgow, Lichtenstein, & Marcus, 2003). Telehealth exemplifies this approach, providing safer environments especially highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Teleneurology, for instance, allows stroke patients to access neurologists instantly, enabling timely interventions that preserve brain tissue and improve recovery prospects. Nurses play an active role in policy review both within their workplaces and at broader levels, including local, state, and federal legislation. Engaging with professional organizations can be an effective avenue for influencing policy benefiting the nursing profession and patient care.

The policy-making process benefits both patients and the nursing profession, requiring individual and interprofessional efforts to be successful (Milstead & Short, 2019). Motivations for nurses to join professional organizations include professional benefits (21.4%), networking (21.4%), increasing knowledge (22.1%), mentoring opportunities (7.9%), and earning continuing education units (CEUs) (17.1%). Other reasons encompass social interaction (9.3%) and job requirements (0.7%) (White & Olson, 2004). However, barriers to membership exist, such as family responsibilities (25%), time constraints (17.9%), lack of information about meetings (17.9%), perceived lack of benefit (8.9%), organizational politics (7.1%), costs (12.5%), and transportation issues (10.7%) (White & Olson, 2004).

To overcome these challenges, self-evaluation of nursing organizations is crucial, focusing on creating positive, empowering, and unified experiences for members. Enhancing meeting content to include organizational improvement and encouraging effective leadership can foster greater satisfaction and member retention. Additionally, cultivating leadership skills within individual nurses can empower them to question, create, and refine policies (White & Olson, 2004). Living in Polk County, Florida, offers convenient access to local organizations such as the Polk County Advanced Practice Nurse's Association (PCAPNA), highlighting the benefits of proximity and affordability in membership. A thriving organization must prioritize a positive environment, both for member engagement and policy advocacy, especially concerning scope of practice and legislative issues.

Paper For Above instruction

Professional nurses possess comprehensive knowledge of the nursing process, which encompasses assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Their direct engagement with patients enables the collection of vital data that guide clinical decisions and improve health outcomes. The evolution of healthcare policies, particularly following the enactment of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010, has positioned nursing as a pivotal element in advancing quality care, population health, and addressing societal disparities (Milstead & Short, 2019). This policy shift underscores the importance of nurse-led initiatives in advocacy, system redesign, and leadership within the healthcare domain.

One significant aspect of nursing's role in policy advocacy involves motivating collaborative efforts aimed at achieving tangible healthcare improvements. For instance, telehealth services exemplify pragmatic innovations that use technology to deliver safe and effective care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth gained prominence, ensuring continuity of care while minimizing infection risks. Teleneurology services allowed stroke patients to receive immediate neurological consultation, facilitating timely interventions that can preserve brain function and enhance recovery. Such advancements highlight the importance of nurses participating in policy reviews, both within their organizations and at governmental levels, to promote healthcare systems that are efficient, equitable, and patient-centered.

Engagement in professional organizations amplifies nurses' voices and facilitates policy influence. According to White and Olson (2004), motivations for joining such organizations include gaining professional benefits, networking opportunities, knowledge expansion, access to continuing education, and social interactions. Despite these benefits, barriers such as family obligations, cost, time constraints, transportation issues, and lack of awareness hinder participation. Addressing these obstacles requires organizations to evaluate and improve their meeting formats and other engagement strategies, creating a welcoming environment that fosters leadership development and member satisfaction.

Leadership within organizations is essential for driving policy change and enhancing professional development. Effective leaders can set clear priorities and strategies that align with members’ needs and organizational goals. Encouraging individual nurses to cultivate leadership skills enables them to contribute meaningfully to policy formulation and advocacy efforts. For example, nurses can question existing policies, propose new initiatives, and participate actively in legislative processes that shape practice scopes and healthcare laws.

In Polk County, Florida, the presence of the Polk County Advanced Practice Nurse's Association (PCAPNA) exemplifies how accessible, community-based organizations can foster professional growth and advocacy. Affordable membership fees, proximity, and relevant local issues make such organizations vital platforms for nurse engagement and systemic change. Ensuring that these organizations focus on positive member experiences and meaningful policy advocacy is vital for their longevity and influence.

Within healthcare workplaces, nurses need to advocate for safe, respectful, and empowering environments. The American Nurses Association emphasizes the importance of fostering healthy work environments where open communication, non-threatening exchanges of ideas, and safety are prioritized (ANA, n.d.). One pressing workplace issue is violence, which can be physical or psychological. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reports rising incidents of workplace violence in healthcare settings, often perpetrated by poorly managed interactions with disrespectful or hostile physicians (ANA, 2019). Such dynamics can undermine staff morale, increase absenteeism, and compromise patient safety—highlighting the need for nurses to advocate for reporting mechanisms and policy changes to address abusive behaviors.

Reporting misconduct through incident reports and engaging in stakeholder meetings are fundamental tools for policy review. Education campaigns aimed at staff and patients further strengthen advocacy efforts, promoting awareness and behavioral change. Accountability is crucial; institutions that tolerate disruptive behaviors risk violating safety standards and can face investigations by accrediting bodies such as The Joint Commission. When traditional measures fail to yield change, formal complaints can be escalated to authorities like The Joint Commission for further action.

Empowerment of nurses extends beyond addressing workplace safety to encompass broad advocacy roles. Nurses are often viewed as patient advocates, but their influence can extend into shaping policies that affect practice scope, ethics, and healthcare delivery systems. Continuous education, leadership development, and active participation in policy-making forums are critical for sustaining advocacy efforts. By strengthening these areas, nurses can foster safer and more just healthcare environments, ultimately benefiting patients, providers, and the broader community (Milstead & Short, 2019).

References

• American Nurses Association. (n.d.). Healthy work environment. Retrieved from https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-engineering/healthy-work-environment/
• American Nurses Association. (2019, June 1). Workplace violence. Retrieved from https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/work-environment/violence-prevention/
• Glasgow, R. E., Lichtenstein, E., & Marcus, A. C. (2003). Why Don't We See More Translation of Health Promotion Research into Practice? The American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 24(4), 29-37.
• Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). (2016). Violence in Healthcare: Strategies for Prevention. NIOSH Science Blog.
• The Joint Commission. (2020). Sentinel event alert 40: Behaviors that undermine a culture of safety. Retrieved from https://www.jointcommission.org/resources/news-and-media/press-releases-and-news-releases/
• White, M. J., & Olson, R. S. (2004). Factors affecting membership in specialty nursing organizations. Rehabilitation Nursing, 29(4), 135-139.