Nurse practitioners (NPs) understand that the healthcare sector continues to encounter various challenges. New changes and advocacy initiatives are needed to help address such issues and transform the outcomes of more patients. The state of California has introduced a new bill that is in line with the latest report by the California Future Health Workforce Commission. Such a bill will only become law if all key participants and stakeholders complete their roles efficiently. This paper describes some of the leadership and activism efforts that NPs need to undertake and contribute to the passage of new health bills.
Background
California has presented new legislation aimed at granting NPs full practice privileges and authority. The move will reduce the existing barriers and ensure that more citizens receive timely, personalized, and reliable medical services. While the bill is capable of allowing NPs to practice to the full extent of their skills, training, and knowledge, much needs to be done throughout the legislation process (Weinmeyer, 2016). The passage of new laws depends on the involvement of all key partners, information sharing, and decision-making. Forming the biggest percentage of caregivers, nurses can be on the frontline to advocate for new changes and laws that can transform their experiences. Such a move will make it easier for them identify existing barriers to practice and apply the best strategies to address them.
Action Plan
NPs who want to influence policy decisions and procedures in their respective states and support the passage of new laws should have a powerful action plan. Nurses should begin by identifying the right advocacy obligations. This approach will help them identify what they should do to transform practice and meet the changing needs of their patients. This strategy should be combined with the concept of lifelong learning. Specifically, they will complete additional studies and learn more about some of the emerging proposals in the field of healthcare (Ellenbecker & Edward, 2017). Most of these reports offer suggestions for improving practice and mitigating some of the challenges in practice, such as nursing shortage. The initiative will also make it easier for them to become aware of their region’s legislative process. This knowledge will guide them to follow the right channels, sensitize the right groups, and make the much needed decisions.
NPs can consider various initiatives that can help them achieve their advocacy goals. For instance, Salmond and Echevarria (2017) indicate that such professionals can make direct calls or write e-mails to individuals who make key voting decisions. The Californian example reveals that nurses could identify and communicate with specific legislators and update them about how the new bill is capable of transforming the experiences of both patients and nurses. When NPs liaise with more policymakers, chances are high that they will vote in favor of such a bill and eventually make it a state healthcare law (Ellenbecker & Edward, 2017). Additionally, nurses can write detailed letters to some of the politicians and inform them about the specific policy change or agenda.
The American system provides the relevant frameworks and guidelines that can help NPs become part of the legislative process. For instance, some professionals in the healthcare field can run for office and promise the electorate how they would be willing to introduce and support new bills. The ultimate should be to present laws that can revolutionize the overall healthcare sector in a positive manner (Weinmeyer, 2016). Those who follow such a route will achieve their goals much faster and present expert opinions to their respective colleagues. Such an effort is capable of contributing to the passage of progressive laws in the healthcare sector.
The political arena forms the primary basis for dictating the manner in which policy proposals and ideas eventually become laws. NPs should ensure that their initiatives, practices, and advocacy efforts are in accordance with their region’s political arena. This knowledge will guide them to identify the right channels and people who are more informed about the anticipated goals (Balestra, 2017). This approach can ensure that the relevant outcomes are recorded in a timely manner. Such professionals can also offer additional suggestions for streamlining the process and supporting the delivery of the anticipated goals.
On top of the outlined strategies, individuals working in the healthcare sector could engage in additional practices to support the delivery of timely results. For example, grassroots outreach programs form the backbone of most of the advocacy efforts (Ellenbecker & Edward, 2017). Specifically, the involved participants will identify new ways to sensitize legislators and work directly with those who might be in support of the targeted bill (Ellenbecker & Edward, 2017). This strategy streamlines the process, addresses some of the possible challenges, and maximizes chances of success. The participants should, therefore, ensure that they work within the stipulated legal guidelines.
Every state has a chapter dedicated or focusing on the needs of NPs. Practitioners can work with their respective state chapters to coordinate visits and events that can result in increased awareness. For example, they can arrange for visits to inform legislators about the proposed bill, the outcomes it intends to achieve, and its possible implications for the future of nursing practice (Salmond & Echevarria, 2017). Additionally, nurses can decide to engage in lobbying activities and select specific dates. A good example is the CANP Lobby Day that is celebrated annually on 13th May. Similar days are common in different states across the country and help colleagues come together and pursue their legislative agenda.
Finally, modern technologies are transforming a wide range of fields and activities. Nurses can capitalize on such developments to take their policy ideas to the next level. The emergence of social media networks and the Internet could make it possible for NPs to spread information and maximize awareness (Weinmeyer, 2016). This effort can ensure that more people collaborate and focus on the best ways to pursue their common goals. In the present case, they can support progressive bills until they pass to become laws in their respective regions. The use of the available outreach information can support the process and eventually ensure that the relevant results are realized (Ellenbecker & Edward, 2017). Consequently, more nurses can be empowered to work efficiently and eventually achieve their maximum potential.
Conclusion
The above discussion has identified advocacy as an evidence-based practice that all NPs should take seriously. This practice is capable of increasing awareness for emerging bills and ensuring that more political leaders support. The use of proper communication channels, lobbying, social media, and group-based platforms can help more professionals contribute to the success of emerging bills. Such an outcome will eventually ensure that more patients receive sustainable, personalized, and timely medical support.
References
Balestra, M. (2017). Telehealth and legal implications for nurse practitioners.Health Policy, 14(1), 33-39. Web.
Ellenbecker, C. H., & Edward, J. (2017). Conducting nursing research to advance and inform health policy. Polity, Politics, & Nursing Practice, 17(4), 208-217. Web.
Salmond, S. W., & Echevarria, M. (2017). Healthcare transformation and changing roles for nursing. Orthopedic Nursing, 36(1), 12-25. Web.
Weinmeyer, R. (2016). Safe patient handling laws and programs for health care workers. AMA Journal of Ethics, 18(4), 416-421. Web.