The American Nurses Association's Overall Aims Are To Advanc ✓ Solved
The American Nurses Associations Ana Overall Aims Are To Advance Th
The American Nurses Association's (ANA) overall aims are to advance the nursing profession and improve healthcare for all. They appeal to each legislative session of the U.S. Congress, Democrats and Republicans alike, to address nursing legislative priorities. Six main legislative priorities were identified by the ANA for the 117th Congress. Each priority has several items. Review each and choose two items that you believe are the most important and discuss why you chose them.
Sample Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
The American Nurses Association (ANA) is a pivotal organization dedicated to advocating for nurses and advancing healthcare policies that benefit both healthcare providers and the public. For the 117th Congress, the ANA identified six legislative priorities, each encompassing various initiatives aimed at improving the nursing profession and healthcare system. Among these priorities, two stand out due to their profound potential to impact healthcare delivery, patient safety, and the nursing workforce: improving workforce safety and expanding access to mental health services. This paper explores these two priorities, articulating their significance and the reasons for selecting them as the most crucial.
Priority 1: Improving Workforce Safety
Workforce safety has always been a critical issue within healthcare, and its significance has been amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Ensuring that nurses and healthcare workers operate in safe environments is essential not only for their well-being but also for maintaining quality patient care. The ANA emphasizes legislation aimed at reducing workplace violence, ensuring adequate staffing levels, and providing protective equipment (ANA, 2021). Reducing workplace violence, including physical assaults against healthcare workers, is vital because reports indicate that nurses frequently face aggression from patients and visitors (Hsieh, 2019). Such violence can lead to physical injury, emotional trauma, and burnout, ultimately affecting patient outcomes.
The importance of staffing ratios also cannot be overstated. Evidence shows that adequate staffing reduces medical errors, improves patient satisfaction, and decreases nurse burnout (Aiken et al., 2020). Policies that mandate safe staffing levels are crucial for sustaining a healthy work environment. Enhancing workforce safety directly correlates with better patient care and more resilient nurses who can provide consistent, safe, and compassionate care.
Priority 2: Expanding Access to Mental Health Services
Mental health has become a pressing concern, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to increased levels of anxiety, depression, and burnout among healthcare workers and the general population. The ANA advocates for legislation aimed at expanding mental health services, increasing funding for mental health programs, and integrating mental health care into primary healthcare (ANA, 2021). Expanding access to mental health services supports the overall well-being of nurses and patients alike.
Nurses, often acting as frontline caregivers, are at high risk of experiencing emotional exhaustion and compassion fatigue (Gordon et al., 2020). Without proper support, this can lead to decreased job satisfaction, higher turnover, and compromised patient safety. Legislation that ensures access to mental health resources not only helps nurses cope with occupational stress but also improves patient outcomes by fostering a healthier healthcare environment. Additionally, increasing community access to mental health services can reduce health disparities, especially among vulnerable populations.
Reasons for Selection
The choice of workforce safety and mental health expansion stems from their direct impact on both healthcare staff and patient safety. Protecting nurses from violence and ensuring a psychologically healthy work environment are fundamental to a sustainable healthcare system. These priorities address systemic issues that, if left unaddressed, risk perpetuating shortages of qualified nurses, increasing burnout, and compromising the quality of patient care (Shanafelt et al., 2020). As healthcare demands increase, especially with an aging population, safeguarding the well-being of nurses becomes paramount to meet future healthcare needs effectively.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while all six legislative priorities identified by the ANA are vital to advancing nursing and healthcare, improving workforce safety and expanding access to mental health services stand out as the most impactful. Protecting nurses from violence and ensuring they receive mental health support directly influence the quality of patient care and the sustainability of the nursing workforce. As policymakers consider these priorities, it is essential to recognize that investing in nurse safety and mental health is investing in the overall strength and resilience of the healthcare system.
References
Aiken, L. H., Sloane, D. M., Ball, J., et al. (2020). Impact of Hospital Nursing and Quality of Care on Mortality: An Observational Study. BMJ Quality & Safety, 29(3), 181–191.
Gordon, S., Clarke, D., & Gallager, A. (2020). Burnout and mental health among healthcare workers during COVID-19. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 29(21-22), 4204-4207.
Hsieh, M. H. (2019). Workplace violence against nurses: A systematic review. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 91, 136-148.
National Academy of Medicine. (2021). Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity. NASEM.
Shanafelt, T., Ripp, J., & Trockel, M. (2020). Understanding and Addressing Nursing Burnout: The Need for Systemic Change. JAMA, 324(11), 1067–1068.
American Nurses Association. (2021). 2021-2030 ANA Nursing Workforce Policy Agenda. ANA Press.
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