Posted: February 27th, 2023

On what policy issues might nurses lobby Congress? What strategies might nurse use to have their voices heard?

On what policy issues might nurses lobby Congress? What strategies might nurse use to have their voices heard?

The discussion must address the topic.

Rationale must be provided

400 words in your initial post by Wednesday 23:59 pm

Minimum of two scholarly references in APA format within the last five years published

You must post two answers to your peers  peers of 200 words by Wednesday

No Plagiarismmaster level

On what policy issues might nurses lobby Congress? What strategies might nurse use to have their voices heard?

The discussion must address the topic.

Rationale must be provided

400 words in your initial post by Wednesday 23:59 pm

Minimum of two scholarly references in APA format within the last five years published

You must post two answers to your peers

 peers of 200 words by Wednesday

1)
Hector

Strategies Might Nurse Use to Have Their Voices Heard

When it comes to making choices on healthcare policy in the United States, listening to the opinions of registered nurses is important since they are an integral element of the nation’s healthcare system. Lobbying is a kind of advocacy that is used by nurses to influence policy in a range of areas, including healthcare access, nurse-patient ratios, nurse staffing levels, and workplace safety. Additionally, they lobby for higher pay and benefits, greater financing for research and education, and an improvement in the overall quality of medical treatment.

When it comes to lobbying Congress, nurses have a number of different options at their disposal to ensure that their views are heard. The cultivation of connections with their elected officials and other key decision makers is one of the most significant methods that may be implemented. It is important for nurses to ensure that their representatives are aware of, and comprehend, their perspectives on health care policy and law. They are able to do this by participating in activities such as attending town hall meetings and other events held by their representatives.

In addition, nurses have the opportunity to participate in the formation of coalitions and groups that lobby for improved medical treatment. These organizations serve as a meeting ground for registered nurses, allowing them to build a cohesive front and speak with one voice (Crowder et al., 2022). When nurses collaborate with a variety of different groups and people, they are able to have a stronger effect on the choices that are made about public policy.

Notably, nurses have the opportunity to participate in grassroots activism. The views of nurses may be heard at the municipal and state levels if they participate in protests, write letters and emails, and make phone calls (Mather & Almond, 2021). It is possible for nurses to guarantee that the viewpoints of the nursing profession are reflected in the legislative process by actively interacting with their legislators in their respective local districts.

Finally, registered nurses need to make it a point to be abreast of ongoing and forthcoming policy concerns by engaging in advocacy activities, going to relevant conferences, and reading pertinent publications. Nurses may increase the likelihood that their voices will be heard and that their ideas will be taken into account when making policy choices by ensuring that they remain educated.

In conclusion, registered nurses have a number of options accessible to them when it comes to lobbying Congress to make sure that their concerns are heard. It is possible for nurses to have a stronger effect on the choices that are made about health care policy if they cultivate connections with their elected officials, collaborate with other groups, participate in lobbying at the grassroots level, and educate themselves.

2) ANA

On what policy issues might nurses lobby Congress? What strategies might nurse use to have their voices heard?

Nurses are always referred to as the “heart of healthcare” as they play a critical role in delivering healthcare services. Nurses work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, and schools. Nurses are among the best people who can advocate for policies regarding delivering quality health services to patients as they have valuable insights into the challenges facing the healthcare system and patients (Turale & Kunaviktikul 2019).

The policy issues on which nurses might lobby Congress include; nursing staffing ratios, workplace safety, professional development funding, and healthcare access and affordability (Turale & Kunaviktikul 2019. The nurse staffing ratio is an issue that nurses can lobby Congress on. An inadequate staffing ratio is disadvantageous to patients as it often results in an increased rate of readmissions, complications, and mortality (Turale & Kunaviktikul, 2019. In health care settings, nurses can work to ensure that adequate staffing is maintained by advocating for policies regarding the same. Professional development funding is the other critical issue for nurses to lobby. Nurses should advocate for policies that advocate for funding as they progress with nursing education, which will ultimately improve the quality-of-care patients receive (Turale & Kunaviktikul 2019).

 Workplace safety and patient safety are other issues on which nurses can lobby Congress. Nurses face various workplace hazards daily, exposing them to infectious diseases, ergonomic risks, and violence. Nurses can advocate for changes to promote workplace safety, such as providing personal protective equipment, among other resources. Patient safety can also be advocated to ensure patients receive patient-centered and evidence-based care, promoting quality care. Finally, nurses can advocate for policies to increase healthcare access and promote its affordability. According to (Combrinck et al., 2022), millions of people cannot access health care as they lack health insurance or face barriers to healthcare accessibility.

To make nurses’ voices heard, there are many strategies that nurses can use to advocate for policy change. Nurses can directly contact their representatives through emails, phone calls, and texts. They can also hold in-person meetings with their officials. Additionally, nurses can also use the representatives of nursing organizations and professional associations to represent them on the issues they face. Nursing organizations are vital in training and providing resources that can help to advocate for policy changes (Combrink et al., 2022). Nurses can also advocate making their voices heard through advocacy and public awareness campaigns. This happens through social media campaigns, public engagement, and letter-writing campaigns. In conclusion, there are various strategies that nurses can use to implement policies or implement changes to the policies. Nurses should also always act as their patients’ advocates, as it is their responsibility to do so.