Introduction
The role of nurses in the provision of high-quality medical services is critical since they influence both the lawmaking process and health promotion through the examination of social determinants. These two aspects of their activity serve as evidence of these specialists’ importance for making a change on a global level. Therefore, to understand how the nursing personnel participates in the development and implementation of nationwide initiatives to improve the well-being of all population groups, it is critical to examine the tasks they perform.
Nurses’ Influence
The first aspect, the impact of hospital employees on the legal aspect of practices and the adoption of new measures as per the current needs, is reflected by the inclusion in the operations of healthcare organizations. Thus, for example, nurses have an opportunity to influence this process on the stage of drafting a bill and introducing it to the committee (Anderson, 2021). Their involvement in these tasks is conditional upon their expertise in real-life clinical settings, which is vital for determining the gaps in providing medical services to citizens (Groenwald & Eldridge, 2020). Also, they can take part in other steps of the designed initiatives, but in this case, their activity is performed mainly within different entities. For instance, being a member of the American Nurses Association or the National League for Nursing, among others, they can send letters to the President on their part (Anderson, 2021). Hence, it is impossible to underestimate the role of these professionals in the field of lawmaking as they can be actively involved in it at any stage.
Two Ways
The two popular ways that the influence of nursing employees can take place are membership in various associations throughout the country mentioned above and employment in local hospitals. The former is intended for addressing global objectives, such as avoiding workplace violence or improving staff education, by relying on the authority of these organizations as employees act with their assistance for modifying the legislation (Anderson, 2021). Meanwhile, the latter also implies promoting changes “under the governance of any political entity” by examining the topics which are more specific and narrow, such as the lack of equipment in a particular healthcare facility (Groenwald & Eldridge, 2020, p. 18). Even though both approaches seem beneficial for meeting long-term goals, the idea of participating in nursing associations appears to be more advantageous. This stance is conditional upon the fact that a single clinic’s struggles might result from a more serious problem, and the elimination of their cause is impossible without interventions on a higher level.
Social Determinants of Health
Social determinants of health are complex notions shifting the outcomes of generalized healthcare interventions. They include economic situations, social issues, unfavorable environments, and complicated access to medical services attributed to the most vulnerable populations (Palmer et al., 2019). In other words, any obstacles emerging due to disparities between people can be viewed as belonging to this area. One of the most significant challenges in this respect is living in “resource poor communities,” highlighting the importance of the place of residence for positive treatment outcomes (Palmer et al., 2019, p. S71). In this case, nurses can pay particular attention to establishing legal standards for planning care for these citizens different from those of their wealthier counterparts.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the role of the nursing personnel in the lawmaking process is critical for promoting equal access to services for all people. They can act either independently within a facility they are working for or join national associations to advocate for the standardization of specific procedures by the government. Thus, the involvement of these specialists helps facilitate the operations of clinics and improve individuals’ well-being by addressing social determinants.
References
Anderson, A. L. (2021). Policy enactment: Legislation and politics. In N. M. Short (Ed.), Milstead’s health policy & politics: A nurse’s guide (7th ed., pp. 97-120). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Groenwald, S. L., & Eldridge, C. (2020). Politics, power, and predictability of nursing care. Nursing Forum, 55(1), 16-32. Web.
Palmer, R. C., Ismond, D., Rodriquez, E. J., & Kaufman, J. S. (2019). Social determinants of health: Future directions for health disparities research. American Journal of Public Health, 109(S1), S70-S71. Web.