Posted: September 4th, 2023

Advocacy through Legislation in Nursing Practice: Addressing a Concern in the Healthcare System

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Assessment Description

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, attached, 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, 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, located in the Student Success Center.

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. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.

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Advocacy through Legislation in Nursing Practice: Addressing a Concern in the Healthcare System

Introduction

Nurses, as frontline healthcare providers, possess valuable insights into the challenges faced by patients and the larger healthcare system. Motivated by their real-world experiences, nurses often adopt an advocacy role to initiate changes in regulations, policies, and laws governing healthcare. This article aims to explore the significance of advocacy through legislation in nursing practice by identifying a problem or concern within a state, community, or organization, and presenting an informed approach to address it. The focus is on the potential impact of legislative advocacy on improving nursing practice and patient outcomes.

Identifying the Concern: A Systemic Issue in Healthcare

The first step in advocating for change is to identify a problem or concern that warrants attention. In this context, the issue of nursing-to-patient ratios stands out as a critical concern in the healthcare system. Research has shown that the nurse-to-patient ratio significantly influences patient safety, quality of care, and nursing job satisfaction (Kane et al., 2017). In many healthcare settings, nurses often find themselves overwhelmed by excessive patient loads, leading to burnout, compromised care, and increased risk of medical errors. The shortage of nursing staff combined with rising patient demands exacerbates this problem, necessitating urgent advocacy for legislative interventions.

Importance of Advocacy Through Legislation

Advocacy through legislation is a potent strategy for addressing concerns such as nurse-to-patient ratios. By advocating for laws and regulations that mandate safe and manageable nurse-to-patient ratios, nurses can positively impact patient outcomes and enhance the quality of care. Legislative changes can result in improved staffing levels, ensuring that nurses have the time and resources to deliver comprehensive and safe patient care. Such improvements can reduce medical errors, prevent adverse events, and minimize healthcare costs associated with preventable complications (Aiken et al., 2017). Additionally, advocating for appropriate staffing ratios can foster a healthier work environment for nurses, leading to increased job satisfaction and reduced burnout rates.

Research-backed Evidence

Numerous studies have substantiated the importance of adequate nurse-to-patient ratios. A seminal study by Aiken et al. (2017) found that each additional patient per nurse was associated with a 7% increase in the likelihood of patient mortality. On the other hand, improved nurse staffing was linked to reduced readmission rates and improved patient outcomes. Similarly, another study by Kane et al. (2017) revealed that optimal nurse staffing resulted in decreased patient falls and infections, further emphasizing the importance of legislative action to enforce safe ratios.

Advocacy Through Legislation: A Strategic Framework

To effectively advocate for legislative changes, nurses need to adopt a strategic framework. The “Advocacy Through Legislation” template (attached) provides a systematic approach to navigate the advocacy process. This includes:

Identifying key stakeholders: Engaging with legislators, policymakers, nursing associations, and patient advocacy groups to build a strong coalition.

Conducting rigorous research: Presenting evidence-based data and research findings to support the need for legislation addressing nurse-to-patient ratios.

Crafting persuasive arguments: Communicating the potential impact of legislative changes on patient safety, care quality, and nurse well-being.

Utilizing effective communication channels: Utilizing social media, town halls, and meetings with policymakers to disseminate information and garner support.

Conclusion

Advocacy through legislation is an essential aspect of nursing practice that empowers nurses to address concerns within the healthcare system. By identifying a problem like nurse-to-patient ratios and using evidence-based research, nurses can effectively advocate for legislative changes that positively impact patient care and nurse well-being. The strategic framework provided ensures that nursing advocacy is well-structured, persuasive, and has the potential to effect real change in the healthcare landscape.

References:

Aiken, L. H., Sloane, D. M., Bruyneel, L., Van den Heede, K., Griffiths, P., Busse, R., … & Sermeus, W. (2017). Nurse staffing and education and hospital mortality in nine European countries: a retrospective observational study. The Lancet, 383(9931), 1824-1830.

Kane, R. L., Shamliyan, T. A., Mueller, C., Duval, S., & Wilt, T. J. (2017). Nurse staffing and quality of patient care. Evid Rep Technol Assess (Full Rep), 151(151), 1-115.

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