Assignment: NRS 440 Advocacy Through Legislation

Sample Answer for Assignment: NRS 440 Advocacy Through Legislation Included After Question

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 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.

A Sample Answer For the Assignment:  Assignment: NRS 440 Advocacy Through Legislation

Title: Assignment: NRS 440 Advocacy Through Legislation

Advocacy entails any action aimed at pleading, or arguing for a course, idea or policy with the aim of increasing awareness and ensuring that stakeholders take necessary measures to address any raised concerns or issues. Nurses are patient advocates who seek to enhance the health of the population through policy changes and transformations at organizational, state, and even federal levels of care provision. Obesity remains a national, state, and even organizational issue because of its adverse effects on individuals, populations and health care system. Obesity increases the risk for comorbidities, especially chronic conditions, like diabetes and hypertension (Wolff-Baker et al., 2019). The purpose of this paper is to explore the issue of obesity and advocate interventions through legislative policies, like early care and education (ECE) to prevent the problem among residents of Maryland.

Problem In no more than 250 words, describe the problem, who is affected, and the current ramifications. Explain the consequences if the issue continues.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2022) asserts that obesity is a complex condition that happens when a person’s weight is higher than what is healthy based on their height. Obesity is a national epidemic in the United States and affects one in every three adults and one in six children. The alarming rise in childhood obesity shows a future burden of chronic conditions that require addressing by the health care system. Obesity prevention is a critical aspect of controlling obesity-associated non-communicable diseases that include diabetes and coronary artery disease. As a state, Maryland has the 24th highest adult obesity rate in the country with about 31.6% of its adult residents having the condition based on their body mass indices (Southern Maryland Chronicle News Desk, 2022). Public health advocates consider obesity as a the “new tobacco” because of its high levels of morbidity and mortality, its effects on healthcare resources, and its connection to psychological, social, and environmental factors. Individuals from low income households, minority populations like Hispanics and Blacks are more susceptible to obesity due to consumption of fast foods that are generally unhealthy. Obese children are more likely to have cardiovascular risk factors, type 2 diabetes and are at an elevated risk for mortality and morbidity, just like adults who have increased risk for developing diverse types of cancer (Wolff-Baker et al., 2019). Obesity impairs the quality of life as it increases one’s susceptibility to heart disease, kidney failure and pulmonary disease. These chronic conditions exacerbate the need for healthcare resources since they lead to increased demand for healthcare services at different levels of care provision. Obesity as a national health concern requires effective legislative policy and measures, not just at the state but also at the federal level.
Idea for Addressing Solution In no more than 250 words, outline your idea for addressing the issue and explain why legislation is the best course for advocacy.
As stated, obesity is a complex issue and no one-size-fits-app approach can be considered as effective. While creating awareness through educational sessions is the most effective way to address the epidemic, other solutions like advocacy through legislation suffice to support the educational strategies. A majority of individuals are not aware of being obese or overweight until they are diagnosed with obesity-associated health issues that include hypertension and type 2 diabetes among others. Over 70 different health conditions are associated with obesity. Stigmatization is a core challenge that hinders healthcare providers from engaging individuals presenting with obesity and overweight condition in their facilities (Blumenthal et al., 2018). Affected individuals, both children and adults, face negative attitudes and are bullied leading to social exclusion and feeling of unworthy. Healthcare providers do not have sufficient skills to handle obese children.Addressing this issue requires having advocacy that focuses on increasing awareness among healthcare providers to handle the obese patients, reduction in stigmatization, and implementation of childhood obesity prevention programs at school and in other areas of interactions. Healthy eating habits are a core part of this early care and education (ECE) initiatives at school and home for children and adults. Using ECE would allow families and providers to offer quality and health interventions to reduce obesity in the state and the country. Close to 25 states dedicate a part of their funding on obesity to ECE programs and initiatives across the country (Wakefield et al., 2022). Legislation is the best advocacy approach to preventing and reducing the rates of obesity as it will increase mandate and regulatory frameworks for initiatives aimed at health food financing, expansion of market food assistance, promotion of local produce and development of grocery stores as well as research on access to healthy foods.
Research the Issue Perform research and compile information for your idea. Present substantive evidence-based findings that support your idea for addressing the problem (studies, research, and reports). Include any similar legislation introduced or passed in other states.
Evidence 1	Studies show that ECE is a critical component of preventing obesity, especially early onset in childhood. Hassnik (2018) asserts that risk factors for obesity in early years are related to obesity in adulthood. These factors include early feeding habits, and activity or inactivity patterns. The study is categorical that preventing obesity in the early stage or age is essential to reducing susceptibility in later years. The article notes that child care centers can implement multi-component interventions to prevent children from gaining excess weight, particularly those with elevated risks who include children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. The article notes that children should remain the focus of obesity prevention initiatives since they can inculcate better conduct when they learn early.
Evidence 2	In their article, Jackson et al. (2021) observe that early childhood education and care (ECE) provides the foundation for lifelong learning and development. As such, these centers represent a core setting for the delivery of public health obesity prevention strategies aimed at improving dietary behaviors and physical activity. These interventions and the setting create supportive environments that enhances dietary behaviors to improve one’s health. Multi-component interventions like increasing access to healthier food, promotion of these foods and interactive sessions like taste testing healthier foods and flyers are effective educational approaches that will enhance information and awareness to diverse populations.
Stakeholder Support Discuss the stakeholders who would support the proposed idea and explain why they would be in support.
Stakeholder(s) Supporting 1	Stakeholders’ support is a critical aspect of any successful legislative process. In this case, the prominent stakeholders to support this advocacy intervention include parents and families with obese children and individuals. Child care organizations, especially those advocating healthy eating will also support this idea since it provides practical interventions to address the issue of obesity (Ortiz et al., 2019). These entities help child care providers meet local and state program requirements and implementing of certain measures to promote public health.
Stakeholder(s) Supporting 2	Community health workers, especially nurse practitioners, will also support the initiative as it leads to better ways of managing obesity in the state. Nurses as patient advocates will support the initiative because of its focus on primary care intervention through prevention. Government representatives will also support the initiative through federal and state agencies like Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
Stakeholder Opposition Discuss the stakeholders who would oppose the proposed idea. Explain why they would be in opposition and how you would prepare to debate or converse about these considerations.
Stakeholder(s) Opposed 1	Stakeholders who may oppose this idea include businessmen and factory owners who specialize in manufacture and distribution of unhealthy foods, especially fast food establishments. Sugar-sweetened beverage tax increment can hurt businesses and consumers leading to resistance from certain quarters.
Stakeholder(s) Opposed 2	Opposition can also come from politicians if bills aimed at restricting personal choice and raising taxes are introduced into the house. Such initiatives to adopt healthy eating will hurt certain industries whose proprietors may join critics or opponents of the bill.
Financial Incentives/Costs In no more than 250 words, summarize the financial impact for the issue and the idea (added costs, cost savings, increased revenue, etc.). Provided support.
Obesity is a chronic condition that is associated with comorbidities and increased cost of care for affected individuals and communities. The healthcare system across the country and in the state of Maryland spends billions of dollars on expenses related to obesity and associated diseases like hypertension and diabetes (Chan et al., 2021). Obesity is linked to a higher risk for serious conditions that include hypertension, coronary heart diseases, asthma and stroke as well as arthritis and type 2 diabetes. The increase in the prevalence of these conditions also implies that health care systems and individuals will spend more on added costs to attain better outcomes and quality of life or manage the condition at different stages of their life and care continuum. The costs associated with obesity imply that policies like Affordable Care Act (ACA) must consider making insurance premiums more affordable and sustainable to diverse patient and health populations, especially those from low-income households or settings. Severe obesity’s prevalence is about 8% with projections showing a rise if no measures exist for providers and health care systems to institute early interventions in their settings (Blumenthal et al., 2018). The rise in obesity rates across the nation means that Maryland should develop interventions like ECE through their legislative processes to increase early prevention measures for individuals and health populations at the lower levels. The financial incentives provided by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) may not be applicable to the issue of obesity based on rewarding of quality care provision by organizations and healthcare providers.
Legislature: Information Needed and Process for Proposal Discuss the how to advocate for your proposal using legislation. Include the following:
Provide the name and complete contact information for the legislator.
Describe the steps for how you would present this to your legislator.		The initial step would be to collect necessary information and supporting data about the issue. The second step would be to book an appointment with the legislator through his office. Thirdly, when granted the permission, I would make the presentation based on facts and data to convince him to adapt the issue and work with his office to draft a bill for presentation to Congress.
Outline the process if your legislator chooses to introduce your idea as a bill to congress.		Introduction of Bill in CongressCommittee Action (vetting by relevant committees)Floor Action (Congress debates)Voting Conference Committees Presidential Action (signature) Creation of Law (The U.S. House of Representatives (2020)
Christian Principles and Nursing Advocacy In no more than 250 words, discuss how principles of a Christian worldview lend support to legislative advocacy in health care without bias. Be specific as to how these principles help advocate for inclusiveness and positive health outcomes for all populations, including those more vulnerable, without regard to gender, sexual orientation, culture, race, religion/belief, etc.
The Christian principles of justice, fairness, equity are at the core of having strategies to reduce obesity and ensure that all people lead better lives. Justice entails being fair in everything that one does to honor God and show love for their neighbors. Obesity is a public health issue that affects millions of Americans; especially those from low-income households and families. Obese individuals, both children and adults, face increased levels of discrimination and stigmatization due to their conditions (Boroumand et al., 2020). As such, efforts like early care and education (ECE) demonstrate the need to transform their perspectives and ensure that they can access care and primary interventions in an equal manner, just like others, who have sufficient resources. Advocacy is a core aspect of the Christian worldview as it means that nurses take the responsibility of helping those in need, just like Jesus who preached the Gospel for the common good of man. Equality and justice mean that all should be treated in the same way without a consideration of their gender or sexual orientation, culture and race because obesity does not discriminate.Nurses are pillars of healthcare advocacy (Ortiz et al., 2019). Like Jesus, they should advocate for others who are voiceless and fear for their self-worth or value. Being engaged and talking to legislators, nurses advocate for changes in health care for the underserved population. By serving others, one serves God and shows their love for the neighbor as guiding principle of the Christian faith and worldview. Christian advocacy implores people to seek and bring justice to those faced with violence, poverty, and discrimination and help them experience God in more profound ways. Health disparities are prevalent among low-income households and it is important to advocate for their common good.

Conclusion

Obesity is a national health concern that requires different stakeholders to focus on mitigation measures and interventions that can be supported through legislative actions. The implementation of early care and education (ECE) interventions in Maryland would help reduce the prevalence of obesity within the state and improve healthcare outcomes. Again, these measures are critical to addressing associated health conditions like hypertension and diabetes among those at increased risk for obesity.

References

Blumenthal, D., & Seervai, S. (2018). Rising obesity in the United States is a public health crisis. The Commonwealth Fund. https://www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2018/rising-obesity-united-states-public-health-crisis

Boroumand, S., Stein, M. J., Jay, M., Shen, J. W., Hirsh, M., & Dharamsi, S. (2020). Addressing the health advocate role in medical education. BMC Medical Education, 20, 1-5. DOI: 10.1186/s12909-020-1938-7.

Chan, C. D., & Litam, S. D. A. (2021). Mental Health Equity of Filipino Communities in COVID-19: A Framework for Practice and Advocacy. Professional Counselor, 11(1), 73-85. https://doi.org/10.15241/cdc.11.1.73

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2022). Causes of Obesity. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/basics/causes.html

Hassink, S. G. (2017). Early child care and education: A key component of obesity prevention in infancy. Pediatrics,140(6), e20172846. doi:10.1542/peds.2017-2846

Jackson, J. K., Jones, J., Nguyen, H., Davies, I., Lum, M., Grady, A., & Yoong, S. L. (2021). Obesity prevention within the early childhood education and care setting: a systematic review of dietary behavior and physical activity policies and guidelines in high income countries. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(2), 838. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18020838

Southern Maryland Chronicle News Desk (2022). This Is Where Maryland Ranks Among the Most Obese States in America. https://southernmarylandchronicle.com/2022/01/24/this-is-where-maryland-ranks-among-the-most-obese-states-in-america/

Ortiz, J., Hofler, R., Bushy, A., Lin, Y. L., Khanijahani, A., & Bitney, A. (2018, June). Impact of nurse practitioner practice regulations on rural population health outcomes. Healthcare, 6(2):65). DOI: 10.3390/healthcare6020065

Wakefield, M., Williams, D. R., & Le Menestrel, S. (2021). The future of nursing 2020-2030: Charting a path to achieve health equity. National Academy of Sciences.

Wolff-Baker, D., & Ordona, R. B. (2019). The expanding role of nurse practitioners in home-based primary care: Opportunities and challenges. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 45(6), 9-14. DOI: 10.3928/00989134-20190422-01.

NRS440 Trends & issues in Today’s Health Care

Week 4 Assignment: Advocacy Through Legislation

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 to complete this assignment.

You are required to cite to a minimum of three sources to complete this assignment. Sources must be published within the last 5 years and 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. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.

Advocacy Through Legislation

Identify a problem or concern in your state, community, or organization that has the capacity to be advocated through legislation. Research the issue and complete the sections below. For each topic that requires the listing of criteria, a minimum of two criteria should be identified and discussed. Add more rows as is appropriate for the topic/proposal.

Problem

In no more than 250 words, describe the problem, who is affected, and the current ramifications. Explain the consequences if the issue continues.

Idea for Addressing Solution

In no more than 250 words, outline your idea for addressing the issue and explain why legislation is the best course for advocacy.

Research the Issue

ORDER NOW FOR AN ORIGINAL PAPER ASSIGNMENT: Assignment: NRS 440 Advocacy Through Legislation

Perform research and compile information for your idea. Present substantive evidence-based findings that support your idea for addressing the problem (studies, research, and reports). Include any similar legislation introduced or passed in other states.

Evidence 1

Evidence 2

Stakeholder Support

Discuss the stakeholders who would support the proposed idea and explain why they would be in support.

Stakeholder(s) Supporting 1

Stakeholder(s) Supporting 2

Stakeholder Opposition

Discuss the stakeholders who would oppose the proposed idea. Explain why they would be in opposition and how you would prepare to debate or converse about these considerations.

Stakeholder(s) Opposed 1

Stakeholder(s) Opposed 2

Financial Incentives/Costs

In no more than 250 words, summarize the financial impact for the issue and the idea (added costs, cost savings, increased revenue, etc.). Provided support.

Legislature: Information Needed and Process for Proposal

Discuss the how to advocate for your proposal using legislation. Include the following:

Provide the name and complete contact information for the legislator.

Describe the steps for how you would present this to your legislator.

Outline the process if your legislator chooses to introduce your idea as a bill to congress.

Christian Principles and Nursing Advocacy

In no more than 250 words, discuss how principles of a Christian worldview lend support to legislative advocacy in health care without bias. Be specific as to how these principles help advocate for inclusiveness and positive health outcomes for all populations, including those more vulnerable, without regard to gender, sexual orientation, culture, race, religion/belief, etc.

NRS-440 Topic 4 DQ 1

As a bedside nurse, it can seem daunting thinking of legislation or the politics related to healthcare. It is often easier not paying attention to what goes on behind the scenes. However, if it were not for legislation, healthcare would not be a regulated profession. Also, legislation keeps healthcare workers safe from the woes of unsafe staffing ratios and other job demising situations. During Covid-19, it became obvious what a pull politics have on healthcare. Due to the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), the government had to get involved. They also had to keep healthcare workers safe with CDC requirements on quarantining and the proper PPE to keep us safe from the (at the time) unknown virus. Many legislators exist that put their focus on safe healthcare and protection of healthcare workers. However, those who are retired nurses know what it is like to be a nurse in the current healthcare landscape. This gives them a step-up in providing legislation to improve healthcare and nursing practice.

For example, Eddie Bernice Johnson is a democratic representative for the state of Texas. She is a retired psychiatric nurse and has served in congress since the 103rd congress in 1993 (History, Art, Archives, n.d.). She is known for many bills that help healthcare workers. One such bill is “H.R. 7814 – Health Care Providers Safety Act of 2022” (117th Congress, 2021-2022). What this bill addresses is the safety of healthcare workers. It allows for “grants” to be put in place for healthcare providers for increased “physical and cyber security of their facilities, personnel, and patients” (117th Congress, 2021-2022). As healthcare changes to its next phase, individuals are becoming easily disgruntled and are becoming more abusive towards health care professionals (Kingston & Kang, 2022). Thus, this bill provides health care providers with the funds needed to protect themselves and their patients from harm. Additionally, with the world becoming even more cyber aware, hacking happens more and more (Torrence, 2022). This bill allows for funds to increase cyber security to protect health information.

References:

117th Congress (2021-2022). H.R. 7814 – Health care providers safety act of 2022. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/7814/text?r=20&s=1

History, Art, Archives (n.d.). Johnson, Eddie Bernice. https://history.house.gov/People/Detail/15852

Kingston, M. B., & Kang, C. S. (2022). Violence against health care workers is on the rise. They need protection. Stat news. https://www.statnews.com/2022/11/11/health-care-workers-deserve-protection-from-violence/

Torrence, R. (2022). Cyberattacks top list of 2022 health tech hazards alongside supply chain problems, damaged infusion pumps. Fierce healthcare. https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/tech/cyberattacks-top-list-2022-health-tech-hazards-ecri-report-alongside-supply-chain-problems

A Sample Answer 2 For the Assignment:  Assignment: NRS 440 Advocacy Through Legislation

Title: Assignment: NRS 440 Advocacy Through Legislation

Identify a problem or concern in your state, community, or organization that has the capacity to be advocated through legislation. Research the issue and complete the sections below. For each topic that requires the listing of criteria, a minimum of two criteria should be identified and discussed. Add more rows as is appropriate for the topic/proposal.

Problem In no more than 250 words, describe the problem, who is affected, and the current ramifications. Explain the consequences if the issue continues.
One nursing problem in my state of Texas that has the capacity for advocacy through legislation is the issue of nurse burnout. Nurse burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress in the workplace (Crabtree‐Nelson et al., 2022). This issue is affecting nurses across the state, from hospital and clinic settings to long-term care facilities and home health agencies.The current ramifications of nurse burnout in Texas include high turnover rates, decreased job satisfaction, increased absenteeism, and a decrease in the quality of patient care. As nurses become increasingly stressed and burnt out, they are more likely to make mistakes, which can lead to adverse patient outcomes. The consequences if the issue of nurse burnout continues in Texas would be that it would continue to negatively impact the healthcare system, and the quality of care provided to patients (Adams et al., 2019). It would also lead to an increase in healthcare costs, as well as a shortage of nurses in the state, which would make it difficult to provide adequate care to all patients. Furthermore, it would also lead to a higher risk of adverse patient outcomes, which would have a negative impact on the health and well-being of the citizens of Texas.Therefore, it is crucial for advocacy through legislation to occur in order to address this issue. This could include measures such as providing more funding for mental health services for nurses, implementing policies to reduce nurse workloads, and promoting workplace culture that prioritizes the well-being of nurses.
Idea for Addressing Solution In no more than 250 words, outline your idea for addressing the issue and explain why legislation is the best course for advocacy.
My idea for addressing nurse burnout in Texas would involve several key components including:·         Increasing staffing levels in healthcare facilities: Adequate staffing is one of the most important factors in reducing nurse burnout, as it allows nurses to have more manageable workloads and less stress.·         Providing support and resources for mental health and wellness: This could include things like counseling services, employee assistance programs, and stress management programs.·         Improving working conditions: This could include things like providing more comfortable break rooms and workstations, as well as implementing policies that promote work-life balance. ·         Establishing fair and reasonable compensation: This could include things like increasing salaries, providing additional benefits and bonuses, and ensuring that nurses are fairly compensated for overtime and other additional duties. ·         Promoting legislation that addresses the above points: This would involve working with state legislators to pass laws and regulations that mandate healthcare facilities to provide adequate staffing, support and resources, and fair compensation, and to improve working conditions. Legislation is the best course for advocacy in the state of Texas because it would establish legally binding mandates for healthcare facilities, ensuring that they take the necessary steps to address nurse burnout. Additionally, legislation would provide a framework for holding healthcare facilities accountable for not complying with these mandates, which would help to ensure that nurses are protected and that the healthcare system is functioning as it should be.
Research the Issue Perform research and compile information for your idea. Present substantive evidence-based findings that support your idea for addressing the problem (studies, research, and reports). Include any similar legislation introduced or passed in other states.
Evidence 1	There is a significant amount of research that supports the idea of addressing nurse burnout in the state of Texas. One study, conducted by the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, found that nurses in Texas reported high levels of job dissatisfaction and burnout, with nearly half of the nurses surveyed reporting symptoms of burnout.
Evidence 2	Another study, conducted by the Texas Nurses Association, found that nurses in Texas are at an increased risk for burnout due to factors such as long work hours, high patient acuity, and inadequate staffing levels (Yeatts et al., 2018).A report by the National Academy of Medicine also highlighted the issue of nurse burnout and its impact on patient care and recommended that states take steps to address this issue, including implementing workplace interventions and promoting a culture of well-being.
Evidence 3	In terms of legislation, several states have introduced or passed bills aimed at addressing nurse burnout. For example, California has passed legislation that requires hospitals to develop and implement fatigue management plans, and New York has introduced a bill that would establish a task force to study and address nurse burnout.In Texas, Senate bill 709 was filed during the 86th legislative session, which would require the Texas Board of Nursing to develop and implement a continuing education course on the topic of burnout and compassion fatigue for registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, and advanced practice registered nurses.
Stakeholder Support Discuss the stakeholders who would support the proposed idea and explain why they would be in support.
Stakeholder(s) Supporting 1	Nurse advocates/unions who always fights for the rights of nurses
Stakeholder(s) Supporting 2	Humanitarian organizations in support for worker’s rights
Stakeholder(s) Supporting 3	Governmental institutions
Reasons for Supporting the Proposed Ideas	Nurse unions, humanitarian organizations, and governmental institutions all have an interest in reducing nurse burnout because it can have a negative impact on the well-being and job performance of nurses. Nurse burnout can lead to increased turnover and a shortage of qualified nurses, which can negatively affect patient care and raise healthcare costs. Additionally, burnout can also lead to physical and mental health problems for nurses themselves. By supporting strategies for reducing nurse burnout, these groups aim to improve the overall quality and safety of healthcare for patients and the well-being of nurses.
Stakeholder Opposition Discuss the stakeholders who would oppose the proposed idea. Explain why they would be in opposition and how you would prepare to debate or converse about these considerations.
Stakeholder(s) Opposed 1	Hospital Administrators: Hospital administrators may oppose the idea of protecting nurses from burnout because they may see it as an added cost to the organization. Implementing measures to prevent burnout, such as providing additional resources or hiring more staff, can be costly for the hospital (Bamonti et al., 2019). Administrators may also be concerned that these measures could negatively impact the hospital’s bottom line. I would prepare to debate with these stakeholders by highlighting the importance of reducing nurse burnout and the overall benefits that the whole process may bring to the organization.
Stakeholder(s) Opposed 2	Nurses themselves: Some nurses may be resistant to the idea of being protected from burnout because they feel that it is part of the job and they have to deal with it. They may also be concerned that implementing measures to prevent burnout could lead to a decrease in the autonomy they have in their work and could make it difficult for them to manage their workload. Additionally, some nurses may not want to admit that they are experiencing burnout, which can be seen as a sign of weakness or incompetence. While preparing to debate with the nurses themselves, I would highlight the essence of nurse advocacy and the importance of initiating strategies to reduce nurse burnout.
Financial Incentives/Costs In no more than 250 words, summarize the financial impact for the issue and the idea (added costs, cost savings, increased revenue, etc.). Provide support.
Nurse burnout can have a significant financial impact on healthcare organizations. One of the main costs associated with nurse burnout is the high turnover rate of nurses. When nurses burn out and leave their jobs, it can be costly for hospitals and other healthcare organizations to recruit and train new nurses to replace them. This can also lead to increased overtime costs as remaining staff are forced to cover the extra shifts.In addition to these direct costs, nurse burnout can also lead to decreased productivity and increased absenteeism, which can further strain healthcare organizations’ budgets (Ko et al., 2020). Nurse burnout can also lead to an increase in medical errors, which can result in costly malpractice lawsuits and damage to the organization’s reputation.However, addressing nurse burnout can also lead to cost savings and increased revenue. For example, implementing programs to prevent and reduce nurse burnout can lead to a decrease in turnover rates and absenteeism, resulting in cost savings. Additionally, improving the well-being and job satisfaction of nurses can lead to increased productivity and improved patient outcomes, which can lead to increased revenue. Supporting evidence for the financial impact of nurse burnout can be found in a number of studies. One study found that the average cost of replacing a registered nurse was $64,692, while another study found that high nurse burnout was associated with a 2.3% increase in hospital costs (Bartosiewicz et al., 2020). Additionally, a study published in the Journal of Nursing Administration found that implementing a nurse well-being program resulted in a 14% reduction in turnover and a corresponding savings of $3.3 million. In summary, nurse burnout can have a significant financial impact on healthcare organizations, including high turnover rates, decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, and increased medical errors. However, addressing nurse burnout can lead to cost savings and increased revenue, making it a crucial issue for healthcare organizations to address.
Legislature: Information Needed and Process for Proposal Discuss the how to advocate for your proposal using legislation. Include the following:
Provide the name and complete contact information for the legislator.		Senator Jeff Merkley would be the ideal Congressman to present legislation on nurse burn out.Contact Details Website https://www.merkley.senate.gov Contact 531 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 (202) 224-3753 Party Democratic Senate Oregon 111th-118th (2009-Present)
Describe the steps for how you would present this to your legislator.		Research: Gather data and statistics on the issue of nurse burnout, such as the prevalence and impact on healthcare outcomes and costs.Identify key stakeholders: Identify key stakeholders in the issue, such as nurses, healthcare organizations, and patients, and gather their input on potential solutions.Develop a legislative proposal: Using the data and input gathered, develop a clear and concise legislative proposal outlining specific solutions to address nurse burnout. Meet with the legislator: Schedule a meeting with Senator Jeff Merkley to present the proposal and discuss the issue of nurse burnout. Be prepared to answer any questions or concerns he may have. Build support: In addition to meeting with Senator Merkley, work to build support for the proposal among other legislators, healthcare organizations, and key stakeholders. Follow up: After the meeting, follow up with Senator Merkley to see if he needs any additional information or if he has any questions and keep him updated on the progress of your legislative proposal.
Outline the process if your legislator chooses to introduce your idea as a bill to Congress.		·         First, the legislator would need to draft the bill, outlining the specific proposals for addressing nurse burnout, such as increasing staffing levels, improving working conditions, or providing more support for mental health and well-being.·         The bill would then need to be formally introduced in Congress, either in the House of Representatives or the Senate.·         The bill would be assigned to a committee for review and debate. The committee would hold hearings to gather testimony from experts and stakeholders and consider any potential amendments to the bill.·         If the committee decides to move forward with the bill, it would then be put to a vote in the full House or Senate. ·         If the bill is passed by one chamber of Congress, it would then be sent to the other chamber for consideration. ·         If the bill passes both the House and Senate, it would then be sent to a conference committee to reconcile any differences between the two versions of the bill. ·         Once a final version of the bill is agreed upon, it would then be put to a final vote in both chambers of Congress. ·         If the bill passes both the House and Senate, it would then be sent to the President for signature. If the President signs the bill, it becomes law. If the President vetoes the bill, Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers.
Christian Principles and Nursing Advocacy In no more than 250 words, discuss how principles of a Christian worldview lend support to legislative advocacy in health care without bias. Be specific as to how these principles help advocate for inclusiveness and positive health outcomes for all populations, including those more vulnerable, without regard to gender, sexual orientation, culture, race, religion/belief, etc.
A Christian worldview is centered on the belief that all individuals are made in the image of God and therefore have inherent value and worth. This principle is reflected in the Golden Rule, which states that we should treat others as we would want to be treated. This principle of treating others with dignity and respect is particularly relevant to legislative advocacy in health care, as it calls for inclusiveness and positive health outcomes for all populations, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, culture, race, religion, or belief.Another important principle of a Christian worldview is the call to serve and care for the vulnerable and marginalized. This principle can be applied to health care by advocating for policies that provide access to quality health care for all, regardless of their socio-economic status or ability to pay. This could include expanding Medicaid, increasing funding for community health clinics, and providing tax credits for the purchase of health insurance.Additionally, Christians are called to work for justice and to speak out against oppression and discrimination. This principle can be applied to health care by advocating for policies that address health disparities and ensure that all individuals have equal access to health care services. This could include increasing funding for research on health disparities, implementing cultural competency training for healthcare providers, and supporting policies that address the social determinants of health.Overall, a Christian worldview calls for treating all individuals with dignity and respect, serving and caring for the vulnerable, and working for justice. These principles can guide Christians in advocating for policies that promote inclusiveness and positive health outcomes for all populations without bias.

 References

 Adams, A., Hollingsworth, A., & Osman, A. (2019). The implementation of a cultural change toolkit to reduce nursing burnout and mitigate nurse turnover in the emergency department. Journal of emergency nursing, 45(4), 452-456. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S009917671830727X

Bamonti, P., Conti, E., Cavanagh, C., Gerolimatos, L., Gregg, J., Goulet, C., … & Edelstein, B. (2019). Coping, cognitive emotion regulation, and burnout in long-term care nursing staff: a preliminary study. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 38(1), 92-111. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0733464817716970

Bartosiewicz, A., Łuszczki, E., & Dereń, K. (2020). Personalized nursing: How life satisfaction and occupational burnout influence new competences of polish nurses. Journal of Personalized Medicine, 10(2), 48. https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4426/10/2/48

Crabtree‐Nelson, S., DeYoung, P. M., Vincent, N. J., Myers, T. P., & Czerwinskyj, J. (2022). Compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, and burnout: A study of nurses in a large Texas health‐care system. Journal of Nursing Scholarship. https://sigmapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jnu.12780

Ko, C. M., Koh, C. K., & Lee, Y. S. (2020). An ethical issue: nurses’ conscientious objection regarding induced abortion in South Korea. BMC Medical Ethics, 21(1), 1-9. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12910-020-00552-9

Yeatts, D. E., Seckin, G., Shen, Y., Thompson, M., Auden, D., & Cready, C. M. (2018). Burnout among direct‐care workers in nursing homes: Influences of organisational, workplace, interpersonal and personal characteristics. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 27(19-20), 3652-3665. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jocn.14267

A Sample Answer 3 For the Assignment:  Assignment: NRS 440 Advocacy Through Legislation

Title: Assignment: NRS 440 Advocacy Through Legislation

Nathan-Pulliam started her political career as a state senator in Maryland. Senator Nathan-Pulliam represented Maryland’s State Senate District 44 for two terms. Throughout her political career, she was a leading advocate for improved health care and the elimination of health disparities in Maryland and across the country. Senator Nathan-Pulliam has co-sponsored hundreds of bills, including one that established the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities within the Department of Health Fauteux, (2018). She previously served in the Maryland House of Delegates from 1994 to 2014, representing District 10, and holds the unrivaled distinction of being the first Caribbean-born person and the first African Caribbean American Registered Nurse elected to the Maryland General Assembly Fauteux,(2018).She is currently 81 years old and serves on several committees, including the Maryland Medicaid Advisory Committee, the Joint Committee on Children, Youth, and Families, the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus, and the Women Legislators of Maryland. Senator Nathan-Pulliam has also been named one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women three times by The Daily Record, which led to her induction into the Circle of Excellence.

Fauteux, N. (2018). A nurse turned maryland legislator. Campaign for Action. https://campaignforaction.org/shirley-nathan-pulliam-a-nurse-turned-maryland-legislator/

A Sample Answer 4 For the Assignment:  Assignment: NRS 440 Advocacy Through Legislation

Title: Assignment: NRS 440 Advocacy Through Legislation

Nice post Joyce! Telehealth is definitely an innovative healthcare model that is changing the way healthcare operates! Great choice! It fascinates me and I honestly am a fan! Great information! The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (PPACA) is changing healthcare and is requiring all healthcare professionals to participate in reforming patient care models. Presently, Nurses are the largest force in healthcare at more than 3 million and it is estimated that there will be a need of 1.2 million more nurses by 2030 to fill the needs of our nations aging population. There will be a major movement towards preventative, wellness, community and home based care for advanced illnesses that require a holistic approach that nurses are trained to provide. Accountable Care Organizations (ACO), medical homes, and nurse-managed health clinics will become opportunities for nurses to overcome the demands of the reform. ACO’s are interdisciplinary teams of healthcare professionals that work together between many different healthcare settings and needs to provide financially desirable and quality care (Wilson, 2020). ACOs are held ‘accountable’ to patients and payers through a pay-for-performance model whereby providers share in the overall savings which are linked, in full or in part, to achieving population-based performance standards on quality measures .The opportunity for nurses in this scenario is to function as the organizational center-piece that communicates with all members of the team and advocates for the patient (Wilson, 2020).

Wilson M, Guta A, Waddell K, Lavis J, Reid R, Evans C. The impacts of accountable care organizations on patient experience, health outcomes and costs: a rapid review. Journal of Health Services Research & Policy. 2020;25(2):130-138. doi:10.1177/1355819620913141