Influencing Health Policy

Sample Solution

     

Example 1: Patient Advocacy for Access to Care

Scenario: A patient with a complex chronic illness faces barriers in accessing specialized care due to insurance limitations and limited provider availability in the area.

Advocacy: The nurse can advocate for the patient by:

• Coordinating care: Working with social workers, case managers, and other healthcare providers to identify alternative care options, such as telemedicine or traveling to a specialized facility.
• Educating the patient: Providing information about the patient's condition, treatment options, and the appeals process.
• Advocating for policy change: Collaborating with patient advocacy groups or policymakers to address systemic barriers to care access.

Full Answer Section

      This example demonstrates how nurses can go beyond direct patient care to address broader systemic issues that impact patient outcomes. Example 2: Advocacy for Safe Staffing Levels Scenario: A nursing unit is experiencing chronic understaffing, leading to increased patient workloads and compromised patient safety. Advocacy: Nurses can advocate for safe staffing levels by:

• Documenting patient care workload: Accurately recording the number of patients assigned to each nurse and the time spent on patient care tasks.
• Reporting unsafe staffing levels: Communicating concerns to nurse managers, administrators, and regulatory agencies.
• Participating in collective action: Joining professional organizations or unions to advocate for mandatory staffing ratios or other legislative measures.

This example highlights the importance of nurses advocating for themselves and their patients to create a safe and optimal work environment. These examples demonstrate how nurses can act as patient advocates and advocates for the nursing profession as a whole. By addressing systemic issues and advocating for safe and equitable care, nurses can improve patient outcomes and contribute to a healthier society.