Whether nurses are advocating for their patients, health care, and/or policies that improve people’s lives, the advocacy processes have commonalities that transcend the subject of their advocacy. There are also differences, although these differences may be more nuanced than obvious.
Tasks:
Write a 5-page brief to answer the following questions. Be sure to use APA guidelines for writing style, spelling and grammar, and citation of sources.
Read the following chapters from your course textbook:
- Taking Action: Nurse, Educator, and Legislator: My Journey to the Delaware Senate
- Taking Action: A Nurse in the Board Room
Answer the below questions:
- Describe what you believe to be the drivers for each of the individuals? What factors led them to become advocates?
- Discuss the challenges that each of them identified in their writings.
- Analyze these drivers and challenges and compare them with your own experience to date as an advocate. In what ways do you believe that you can expand your advocacy skills within the next five years?
Submission Details:
- Submit your response in a 5-page Microsoft Word document.
- Name your document SU_NSG4068_W5_Project_LastName_FirstInitial.doc.
- Submit your document to the Submissions area by the due date assigned.
- Cite sources in the APA format on a separate page.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
Advocacy plays an essential role in the nursing profession. Nurses across the globe advocate for their patients, communities, and policies that promote improved health care. The advocacy process follows common trends, but different advocates have different drivers, which led them to become advocates. Thus, this brief will answer questions regarding the key drivers, challenges, and advocacy skills by analyzing chapters from a course textbook.
Question 1: Describe what you believe to be the drivers for each of the individuals? What factors led them to become advocates?
In their writings, both individuals demonstrated a passion for nursing and a desire to improve the healthcare system. Senator Bethany Hall-Long’s driver was “to make health care more affordable and available, especially for those with chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, asthma, and cancer” (Mason et al., 2016, p. 464). Her passion for nursing and the desire to impact policy and legislation pushed her to advocate further. Similarly, Renee Thompson’s factor was the need to improve patient outcomes. Her experience in nursing rooted from her sister’s life-changing event, which she believes would not have happened had proper care been provided. These drivers fuelled her desire to become an advocate as she believed she could make a difference.
Question 2: Discuss the challenges that each of them identified in their writings.
Senator Bethany Hall-Long’s significant challenge was financing healthcare reform. She acknowledged that the healthcare system was struggling financially, and therefore, there was a need to balance more cost-effective strategies with quality care. On the other hand, Renee Thompson identified challenges in bridging the gap between nurses and the management of organizations. Thompson further identified communication and delegation issues as significant challenges that hindered nurses’ ability to provide optimal care.
Question 3: Analyze these drivers and challenges and compare them with your own experience to date as an advocate. In what ways do you believe that you can expand your advocacy skills within the next five years?
As an educator within the medical field, I believe that my drive originated from fulfilling the goals of the nursing profession. Being an advocate involves ensuring that health policies are fair and just to all parties, including nurses and patients. Thus, to be a successful advocate, one needs to communicate effectively, give and receive feedback, and understand different perspectives. The challenges I have faced are the lack of knowledge of specific healthcare policies and legislation, the limitation of resources, and the inability to accommodate all patients’ needs. Nonetheless, to expand my advocacy skills within the next five years, I intend to update and expand my knowledge about healthcare policies and legislation. Additionally, I intend to participate in relevant healthcare organizations that improve health equity, nursing practices and policies.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, advocacy in nursing is critical in improving healthcare policies and practices. Although advocates may have different drivers and challenges, the ultimate goal of improving patient outcomes unites all nurses. Therefore, to be successful advocates and make significant contributions, we must continually educate ourselves, communicate effectively with other stakeholders, and actively engage in policy discussions.
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