topic: Research legislation that has occurred within the last 5 years at the state or federal level as a result of nurse advocacy. Describe the legislation and what was accomplished. What additional steps need to be taken to continue advocacy for this issue?
reply 1 (alexia)
One example of a bill passed in Arizona is the House Bill 2691. This legislation allocates funds to nursing colleges in Arizona to hire additional nursing instructors to address the nursing faculty shortage in the state (Arizona State Legislature, 2022). This shortage has been a significant challenge for nursing education programs, as it limits the number of students admitted to these programs and ultimately impacts the number of nurses available to provide care (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2022). The passing of this is a positive step towards addressing the nursing faculty shortage in Arizona and increasing the number of nursing graduates. This will help to meet the growing demand for healthcare services in the state and improve patient outcomes.
To continue advocacy for this issue, nursing organizations and advocacy groups can work with nursing colleges and regulatory bodies to ensure that the funds allocated for hiring additional nursing instructors are used effectively. This can include developing clear guidelines for recruiting and retaining nursing faculty, providing support and resources for new instructors, and promoting collaboration between nursing education programs and healthcare organizations. In addition, nursing organizations can continue to advocate for increased funding for nursing education programs and initiatives to address the nursing workforce shortage in Arizona. This can include supporting legislation that provides funding for nursing education, advocating for policies that promote the recruitment and retention of nurses, and partnering with healthcare organizations to develop innovative solutions to address the nursing shortage (Goodyear, 2022). Overall, this bill is a positive step towards addressing the nursing faculty shortage in Arizona, but continued advocacy efforts will be needed to ensure that these funds are used effectively and to address the broader nursing workforce challenges in the state.
References
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2022). Nursing faculty shortage fact sheet.
Arizona State Legislature. (2022). House Bill 2691. In Arizona State Legislature.
Goodyear, C. (2022). Advocating for public policy to advance nursing. Nursing Management, 53(7), 48.
Reply 2 (Tyler)
Advocacy in the nursing profession is essential in driving necessary changes in patient care and quality outcomes. According to Martin & Zolnierek (2020), the ethical duty of nurses to engage in policy was recognized, as reflected in the American Nurses Association’s (ANA) code of ethics, emphasizing the nurse-as-advocate role. Changes in the healthcare industry, such as increased focus on patient safety and outcomes, have further underscored the importance of nursing advocacy efforts. For example, the development of the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) allowed for the correlation of nursing care with patient outcomes, driving discussions on nurse staffing and quality of care (Martin & Zolnierek, 2020).
One common issue that is well-known to the nursing profession is inadequate staffing and overall shortages throughout the country. The research article, Nurse staffing legislation: Empirical evidence and policy analysis, describes the implementation of nurse staffing committee legislation produced through nurse advocacy. Nurse staffing committee legislation in various states has led to positive outcomes such as increased nurse hiring in Texas and the implementation of patient acuity systems in Illinois. In Oregon, nurses gained a voice in patient care quality and safety, though specific outcomes weren’t measured (Bartmess, Myers, & Thomas, 2021). These policies empower nurses in staffing decisions, but additional steps are needed to assess their impact on measurable patient outcomes.
Bartmess, M., Myers, C. R., & Thomas, S. P. (2021). Nurse staffing legislation: Empirical evidence and policy analysis. Nursing Forum, 56(3), 660675.
Martin, E., & Zolnierek, C. (2020). Beyond the Nurse Practice Act: Making a Difference through Advocacy. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 25(1), N.PAG.
reply 3 ( amira )
In the past five years, nurse advocacy efforts have led to significant legislative achievements, one of which is the APRN Compact. This legislation aims to streamline the process for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to practice across state lines. The APRN Compact allows APRNs to hold multistate licenses, enabling them to provide care to patients in different states without the need to obtain additional licenses. By reducing bureaucratic barriers, this legislation enhances access to healthcare services, particularly in underserved and rural areas where healthcare providers may be scarce (National Council of State Boards of Nursing, 2020).
Another notable legislative accomplishment resulting from nurse advocacy is the introduction and passage of the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2019. This legislation authorizes funding for nursing workforce development programs, including education, recruitment, and retention initiatives. By investing in the nursing workforce, this act aims to address critical shortages of nurses and nurse faculty, enhance the diversity of the nursing workforce, and improve access to quality healthcare services for all Americans (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2020).
While these legislative achievements mark significant progress in advancing nursing and improving healthcare delivery, additional steps are needed to continue advocacy for these issues. Nurse advocacy efforts should focus on ensuring the effective implementation and enforcement of enacted legislation, monitoring its impact on nursing practice, patient care, and healthcare outcomes. Moreover, continued advocacy is necessary to address ongoing challenges facing the nursing profession, such as workforce shortages, scope of practice barriers, and healthcare disparities. By collaborating with policymakers, stakeholders, and the public, nurses can continue to advocate for policies that strengthen the nursing workforce, promote access to quality healthcare, and ultimately improve health outcomes for individuals and communities nationwide.
References
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2020). Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2019.
National Council of State Boards of Nursing. (2020). APRN Compact.
