The Purpose Of Learning The Ropes Of Policy And Politics ✓ Solved

The purpose of learning the ropes of policy, politics and a

The purpose of learning the ropes of policy, politics and advocacy is to influence health care or broader social agendas that influence human health. Discuss a time where you influenced health care through advocacy. The discussion must address the topic; you are expected to post 400 words in your initial post with 2 scholarly references. APA format.

Nurses have a long history of advocacy. Do you think that nurses apply advocacy today in the different levels of nursing practice?

Paper For Above Instructions

Advocacy is an essential component of nursing that has been ingrained in the profession's ethos since its inception. As a nurse, I had an opportunity to advocate for patients' rights when I worked in a community health clinic during a healthcare access initiative. Our clinic served a largely underserved population who faced significant barriers to receiving adequate healthcare. This experience highlighted the importance of advocacy in influencing healthcare policies to benefit vulnerable populations.

During my time at the clinic, I noticed that many patients were unaware of their rights concerning healthcare access, including eligibility for various assistance programs. To address this, I initiated an educational program aimed at informing patients about their rights and available resources. The program included informational sessions conducted in both English and Spanish, accommodating the diverse language needs of our patients. The goal was to empower them with the knowledge necessary to seek out care and to understand their eligibility for services.

Through this initiative, I was able to influence not only individual patients' awareness but also the healthcare policy landscape of our community. By collaborating with local organizations and utilizing community leaders, we advocated for broader policy changes aimed at increasing healthcare accessibility. Evidence from the American Nurses Association (ANA) illustrates that such advocacy efforts can lead to significant policy shifts to improve health systems (ANA, 2020).

Furthermore, this experience solidified my belief in the critical role nurses play at various levels of nursing practice in advocating for patients. At the bedside, nurses assess patients' needs, communicate them effectively to the healthcare team, and ensure that patients’ voices are heard. In community settings, as demonstrated in my experience, nurses can advocate for policy changes that address systemic barriers to care. This advocacy aligns with the philosophy that nurses have an ethical duty to champion equitable care for all patients.

Moreover, the role of advocacy in nursing practice has evolved with the changing healthcare landscape. Today, nurses apply advocacy in several ways, including participating in policy development, engaging in political activities, and joining professional organizations that lobby for nursing and healthcare-related issues. According to the National Student Nurses' Association (NSNA), student nurses are encouraged to engage in advocacy both in their learning environment and beyond, positioning them as future leaders in healthcare policy (NSNA, 2021).

In conclusion, my experience at the community health clinic illuminated the vital role that advocacy plays in nursing practice. By empowering patients and influencing healthcare policies, nurses can make significant contributions to improving health outcomes for various populations. As we continue to advance in our roles, it is crucial that we remain committed to advocacy as both a moral and professional obligation, ensuring that we champion for equitable healthcare for all. I believe that nurses continue to apply this advocacy across all levels of nursing practice, and they must remain vigilant in the face of ongoing and emerging healthcare challenges.

References

  • American Nurses Association. (2020). Nursing's Social Policy Statement. Retrieved from https://www.nursingworld.org/nurses-books/nursings-social-policy-statement/
  • National Student Nurses' Association. (2021). Advocacy. Retrieved from https://www.nsna.org/advocacy.html
  • Storch, J., & Weinstein, S. (2018). The role of nurses in health policy development. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 50(5), 564-572.
  • McGowan, J., & Parry, R. (2017). Nursing and advocacy: New directions. Nursing Standard, 31(14), 33-38.
  • Budden, J. S., & Zhong, Y. (2019). The impact of nursing advocacy on health policy: Perspectives and implications. Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice, 20(2), 92-99.
  • National Council of State Boards of Nursing. (2022). Nurse Advocacy Effectiveness Initiative. Retrieved from https://www.ncsbn.org/advocacy.htm
  • Reed, K. L., & Taves, P. A. (2020). The Importance of Advocacy in Nursing Practice. Journal of Medical Ethics, 46(7), 432-436.
  • Patterson, A. (2018). Advocacy in Nursing: The Ethical Responsibility of Nurses. Nursing Ethics, 25(3), 345-354.
  • Craig, K., & D'Arcy, R. (2021). Advocacy and Empowerment in Nursing. Journal of Professional Nursing, 37(2), 178-183.
  • Gordon, S. (2020). The future of nursing: Leading change, advancing health. The Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action. Retrieved from https://www.thefutureofnursing.org/

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