Nurses Role in Influencing the Legislative Process
The concept of policy influence by nurses can be defined as the ability of nurses to have an impact on the affairs and decisions associated with healthcare through the use of advocacy, policy competence, and power, which is attained by effective communication, teamwork, policy awareness, and strengthening images and ultimately will cause an improvement of patients’ and nurses’ outcome. Policy influence is accorded the highest level of participation in policies that are handled by top-level nursing management (Hajizadeh et al., 2021). Below are the sections of the lawmaking process where nurses have a chance to influence the final bill passage. Two ways that the influence may take place and the role that nurses can play in promoting health status through policy changes directly affecting the social determinants are also discussed.
What parts of the lawmaking process does a nurse have an opportunity to influence the final bill passage?
To have a chance to influence the Final Bill passage, nurses can take part in the lawmaking process during the drafting and introduction of the bill and at the community review stage (Thomas et al., 2019). During the drafting of the legislation, nurses can work together with the legislators and shape the content of the bills to address issues like nursing practice, patient care, healthcare disparities, and workforce shortages. Collaborations aim to ensure that the legislation is based on the practical experiences of those working in healthcare (Thomas et al., 2019). On the other hand, nurses can influence the passage of the bill at community review. Nurses have an opportunity to testify in front of the committee, where they can share real-life experiences, expertise, and evidence-based insights associated with the proposed law. Furthermore, nurses can also issue written statements that contain an in-depth exploration of the issues and give supporting data, case studies, and research findings (Thomas et al., 2019).
List at least two ways that this influence can take place. In your opinion, would one way be preferable over the other?
Nurses can influence the lawmaking process through grassroots mobilization and professional organization advocacy. Nurses participate in grassroots initiatives such as social media activities, phone call drives, and letter-writing campaigns. They encourage other nurses to reach out directly to their elected officials, which helps communicate a unified message and underscores the importance of nursing views in the legislative process (Anders, 2020). On the other hand, nurses may use professional organizations to influence the lawmaking process. These organizations help amplify the collective voice of nurses and share their messages with policymakers (Anders, 2020). Of the two, I prefer the use of professional organizations. These organizations have well-established relationships with policymakers, are well-versed in the legislative processes, and can strategically allocate resources. Furthermore, they bring expertise and organization that can enhance the impact of advocacy efforts (Anders, 2020).
What role can nurses play in promoting health status through policy changes directly affecting this social determinant?
One key social determinant of health that impacts health outcomes is education. Nurses can play an important role in promoting health status through policy changes that address educational factors (The Lancet Public Health, 2020). First, nurses can advocate for policies that secure funding for all individuals regardless of their socioeconomic background. Furthermore, nurses can participate actively in and advocate for school health programs that address physical health, mental health, nutrition, and general well-being. Furthermore, nurses may advocate for health literacy within educational curricula, equipping individuals with knowledge and skills that they can use to make informed decisions about their health, resulting in healthier outcomes and behaviors (The Lancet Public Health, 2020).
Conclusion
In conclusion, nurses may influence the passing of a bill by introducing a draft of the bill or testifying at the committee review stage. Furthermore, nurses may use grassroots mobilization or professional organizations to influence the lawmaking process. The use of professional organization is more preferable and easier. Nurses can play various roles in advocating for policies that address various social determinants of health, like education.
References
Anders, R. L. (2020). Engaging nurses in health policy in the era of COVID‐19. Nursing Forum, 56(1), 89–94. https://doi.org/10.1111/nuf.12514
Hajizadeh, A., Zamanzadeh, V., Kakemam, E., Bahreini, R., & Khodayari-Zarnaq, R. (2021). Factors influencing nurses participation in the health policy-making process: A systematic review. BMC Nursing, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-021-00648-6
The Lancet Public Health. (2020). Education: a neglected social determinant of health. The Lancet Public Health, 5(7), 361. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2468-2667(20)30144-4
Thomas, T., Martsolf, G., & Puskar, K. (2019). How to Engage Nursing Students in Health Policy: Results of a Survey Assessing Students’ Competencies, Experiences, Interests, and Values. Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice, 21(1), 12–20. https://doi.org/10.1177/1527154419891129
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Question 
In a Microsoft Word document of 2-3 pages formatted in APA style, you will answer three questions related to your opportunity as a nurse and
an advocate. The first two questions relate to influencing a bill that is traveling through the legislative process. The third question refers you to the social determinants of health and asks you to think specifically about your role as a nurse in influencing social determinants of health.
Nurses Role in Influencing the Legislative Process
Answer the following questions:
• What parts of the lawmaking process does a nurse have an opportunity to influence the final bill passage?
• List at least two ways that this influence can take place. In your opinion, would one way be preferable over the other?
• Reviewing the social determinants of health, select one to respond to this question:
• What role can nurses play in promoting health status through policy changes directly affecting this social determinant?
Write each question as a new topic area and then follow with a paragraph or two to answer the question. You may find it necessary to search for answers to the questions outside of the assigned reading.