NURS 412 Ethics Policy Economics

Purpose of Assignment: The purpose of this assignment is for the student to develop advocacy skills. The student willexplore a health policy topic from a variety of perspectives, using this information as a foundation for policy development and advocacy. This assignment is designed to help you work in a group to prepare a policy brief which will be sent to a legislator. The assignment engages you in learning about an issue and to accurately - and in a non-biased fashion - identify the policy and political issues that are central to that topic.

Student Approach to Assignment: I was excited to have an opportunity to research nursing-related bills proposed in Congress and choose one to advocate for. I spent a few hours researching various bills, looking for one I felt passionate about and had some experience with. The bill I decided to advocate for was targeting mandated maximum nurse-to-patient ratios. This struck me particularly close to home because I saw some outrageous rations during my clinical rotations.

Reason for Inclusion of the Assignment in the Portfolio: This assignment reflects my ability to engage with my congressional leaders and advocate for nursing policy. Developing this brief and contacting my representatives advanced my understanding of how each nurse can advocate in the political process and make an impact. This has prepared me to continue advocating for nursing policies as I transition into my professional field.

Outcome 35:

Describe the impact of healthcare cost and payment models on the delivery, access, and quality of care.

In my congressional leave behind, I examined how nurse staffing standards affect health care costs and quality of care. This document discusses the financial consequences of inadequate nurse-to-patient ratios, such as increased patient mortality and extended hospital stays, significantly raising health care costs. By advocating for mandated nurse-to-patient ratios, the paper shows how proper staffing enhances patient safety and care quality, leading to substantial cost savings for healthcare institutions. This analysis highlights the critical relationship between healthcare payment models and care delivery, illustrating that investments and staffing can improve both fiscal efficiency and patient health outcomes.

Outcome 42:

Advocates for professional standards of practice using organizational and political processes.

I engaged in organizational and political processes by researching H.R. 2530 and creating a one-page leave-behind. This document leverages relevant evidence from recent studies to argue the necessity of mandated nursing-patient ratios. This advocacy reflects my understanding of nurses' critical need to Actively participate in advocating for nursing policies, engaging with congressional leaders, and creating relevant documentation supporting these goals.

Outcome 43:

Demonstrates accountability for one's own professional practice.

I demonstrated accountability for professional practice by acknowledging the importance of safe staffing standards and advocating for mandated nurse-to-patient ratios in my congressional leave behind. I have shown A commitment to ensuring that nurses have the necessary conditions to fulfill their responsibilities ethically and effectively. By promoting policies that facilitate manageable workloads, I have shown that I am accountable for advocating for policies that directly impact my professional practice and reduce risk to patients.