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Introduction
Nurses play an important role when it comes to promoting public health. Initially, the focus of health promotion was exclusively on disease prevention and changing the behavior of individuals. However, their role is more complex and, as such, requires that they strive to serve as a nursing political advocate. This is necessary because they have the multidisciplinary knowledge and experience needed to work in this position. Therefore, by serving as political advocates, nurses are able to address issues related to health promotion such as public policy development and reforms as well as social justice in the society.
Engaging in Debate for Health Promotion
Nurses should engage in the debate for health promotion by serving as nursing political advocates. This is necessary because in the U.S., healthcare, nursing, and patient care are all influenced by public policies and political processes (Chiu et al., 2021). In essence, political advocacy as a tool will ensure nurses address critical health promotion issues by focusing on public policy development and social justice in society.
As a matter of fact, there are many examples of nurses who, through advocacy, managed to address key issues affecting healthcare. For instance, Florence Nightingale, upon discovering that a societal problem existed, served as a political advocate with the aim of developing a public policy to address the problem for the good of society. As explicated in McDonalds (2019) book, Nightingale after assessing the unsanitary conditions in the infirmaries and the inequitable treatment of the sick poor, initiated public policy reforms to improve the British healthcare system (p.45). In essence, nurses role in health promotion can be more impactful if they opt to initiate public policy reforms aimed at addressing the barriers to health promotion.
Skills Necessary to Engage in Political Advocacy
Although AACN Essential V requires nurses to engage in political advocacy, only a few of them participate in such activities. Essential V states that baccalaureate-prepared nurses are expected to participate as a nursing professional in political processes and grassroots legislative efforts to influence health policy (AACN, 2022). Such nurses should have the following skills: problem-solving, communication, influence, and collaboration (American Nurses Association, n.d.).
Firstly, problem-solving skills are important because advocacy is concerned with addressing an issue that requires an urgent solution. The main step, therefore, is identifying the problem before proceeding with developing strategies to address the issue. The second skill is communication where a nurse needs to ensure they communicate clearly and concisely because political advocacy involves convincing people and groups to come together. Thirdly influence as a skill is critical since nurses need to alter or sway individuals thoughts and beliefs. The last skill is collaboration which requires nurses to establish collaborative relationships with others in order to gain the support needed to address the problem.
Ways of Becoming Involved in Advocacy
There are several ways that I plan to become involved in political advocacy. The first option is to assume a leadership position in the healthcare system. This will ensure I act as a link between different players within the healthcare facility. Other ways of getting involved include contacting elected officials about legislation affecting healthcare and signing petitions or writing letters to the editors focusing on issues ailing the industry.
Conclusion
Nurses can help promote public health by serving as political advocates. Advocacy offers them an important platform to focus on specific issues such as public policy development and social justice in society. For instance, by initiating public policy reforms, nurses will be able to address the existing barriers to health problems. However, to achieve this, they must possess specific skills such as problem-solving, influence, collaboration, and communication.
References
American Nurses Association. (n.d.). Practice and policy. Web.
American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) (2022). The Essentials: Core competencies for professional nursing education. Web.
Chiu, P., Cummings, G. G., Thorne, S., & Schick-Makaroff, K. (2021). Policy advocacy and nursing organizations: A scoping review. Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice, 22(4), 276-296. Web.
McDonald, L. (2019). Florence Nightingale: A Reference Guide to Her Life and Works. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
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