Discussion Post: Influencing Health Care through Advocacy
Even though nurses form the majority of the healthcare team, my opinion is that they are not considered or have been inadequately involved in the policy development process. Nurses have a right to develop or influence policies at any level (Brokaw, 2016). However, there exist barriers that limit them from succeeding in their efforts towards policy development and implementation. When these barriers are eliminated and nurses adequately supported, they can lead the industry in making the best reforms and changes (Gerber, 2018). For instance, when Audrey Gibson advocated for policies targeting to prevent maternal mortality, he aimed at achieving the health goals of reducing the maternal mortality rate. Unfortunately, success in most initiatives and strategies is not achieved since developers do not recognize and involve nurses.
Choose a legislator on the state or federal level who is also a nurse and discuss the importance of the legislator/nurse's role as advocate for improving health care delivery. What specific bills has the legislator/nurse sponsored or supported that have influenced health care.
The response should include a reference list. Using one-inch margins, Times New Roman 12 pnt font, double-space and APA style of writing and citations.