Intro to Nursing: Chapter 15- Political Activism in Nursing

Politics and Policies

National

State/local

Policy Making Decisions

Distinct roles in setting practice and policy

Keeps nursing relevant & up to date within healthcare

What are the 3 meanings in Politics

1. The art or science of government

2. The art or science concerned with guiding or influencing governmental policy

3. The art or science concerned with winning and holing control over a government

What is policy

A definite course or method of action selected from among alternatives and in light of given conditions to guide and determine present and future decisions

What does a high-level overall policy plan embrace?

The general goals and acceptable procedures especially of a governmental body

Policy

“A plan or course of action…. intended to influence & determine decisions, actions, & other matters.. American health care policy”

What are examples of policy’s?

National- Affordable Care Act (2010)

State- Children’s Health Insurance Program

What is Power?

Strength or force tat is exerted or capable of being exerted

What is Authority?

Legitimacy to exert power

What is Influence?

Process of producing effects on action, behavior, and opinions of others

What is Power, Authority, and Influence an example of?

A nurse notifies the healthcare provider (HCP) regarding a change in patient condition and possible medical management

What is Health Policy?

Private or public rules, regulations, laws, or guidelines that relate to the pursuit of health and delivery of health services

What do policy decisions reflect?

Reflect the values and beliefs of those making the policy

What do public officials act on?

THe interest of their constituents to support passage of laws and development of policies

What do professional organization policies reflect on?

Polocies reflects values of the organization

What is Politics?

Process of influencing the allocation of scarce resources

Policies are decisions- what influences those decisions?

Politics

What are stakeholders?

Individuals with vested interest

What are examples of politics?

Patients Out of Time- a single nurse started this organization

To increase funding for nursing scholarships, stakeholders lobby state legislators (students, universities, hospitals)

Linking Practice, Policy, and Politics: Florence Nightingale

Worked with Sir Sidney Herbet- Secretary of War

Linking Practice, Policy, and Politics: Lavinia Dock

Pounded the ANA

Pressured hospital administrators to improve working conditions

Galvanized support for nursing registration

Linking Practice, Policy, and Politics: Karen Daley

Needle Stick Injury

• Contracted HIV & Hep C

Influenced public officials to make nursing practice safer

Professional organizations

Strength in numbers: Large group can get more done

• More money to lobby for policy change

American Nurses Association (ANA)- Open to all RNs

National Student Nurses Association (NSNA)- Open to all SNs

Join a Professional Organization to:

Certification

Stay informed on professional issues

Develop leadership skills

Influence health policy

Continue education

Network with colleagues

Work collectively for job security

Why don’t nurses join professional organizations?

High cost of dues, lack of time, lack of interest, dissatisfaction

• <10% nurses are members of ANA

• Only 20% nurses belong to speciality organization

What are the types of organizations?

Broad- Purpose professional organizations (ANA)

Speciality practice organizations (area of interest or practice)

Special Interest Organizations (Sigma Theta Tau)

Professional Organizations: Mission Statement

Generated by the membership

Defines the organization’s: Purpose and goals

• Who is served by the organization

ANA Mission Statement: Nurses advancing our profession to improve health for all

ANA Goals- Advance the Nursing Profession by:

Promoting the rights of nurses in the workplace

Fostering high standards of nursing practice

Advocating on health care issues that affect nurses & the public

Projecting a positive & realistic view of nursing

Bolstering the health & wellness of nurses

Nurses and Unions: Nurses may choose to join unions to:

Work collectively

Have control over their practice and workplace

Work to equalize power between management and staff

Nurses and Unions: National Labor Act

Defines the rules & regulations

National Labor Relations Board oversees

Nurses and Unions: Issues in Contract Negotiations

Hours, pay, benefits always included

Staffing, work assignments, & shared governance

Nurses and Unions: Closed Shops

Management is required to bargain with the union & union membership is required as a condition of employment

Nurses and Unions: Open Shop

Employees are not required to job but an individual’s contract will be dependent on what the union & management have negotiated

What does the “right to work” state:

The value system of work culture is less supportive of union affiliation

Is Louisiana a Right to Work State?

Yes!

• Louisiana’s right-to-work law protects a worker’s right to form, join, and assist a labor organization or to refrain from such activities

Benefits of Joining a Professional Organization: Developing Leadership Skills

NSNA: Leadership University, Scholarships, LSU Health NO SON SNA chapter

Nursing Alliance Leadership Academy (NALA): Part of Nursing Organizations Alliance (NOA)

Benefits of Joining a Professional Organization: Political Activism

Nurses depend on activism to protect their interest

• Direct reimbursements of NPs

• RN Staffing

• Educational requirements for unlicensed assistive personnel

Organizations with legislative agenda (ANA, unions)

Coalition to support specific issues: Health Care Without Harm

What are Practice guidelines and position statements?

ANA on blood-borne and airborne diseases

ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses (2015)

Political Activism in Government:

Nurses Depend on Activism to Protect their Interests

How Policy Influences Nursing Practice: Laws Define Nursing Practice-

Periodic need to influence lawmakers to modify the nurse practice act to reflect current clinical practice

• NPs reimbursement, autonomy (CPA) & prescriptive authority

FDA sets rules for administering and documenting the administration of narcotics

Need to influence legislators regarding broader issues like pay equity, staffing ratios, etc.

Becoming Active in Politics- Nurses Can Influence Policy:

Identifying health problems as policy problems

Formulating policy through drafting legislation in collaboration with legislators

Providing formal testimony

Lobbying governmental officials in the executive and legislative branches to make certain health policies a priority for action

Filing suit as a part or as a friend of the court to implement health policy strategies on behalf of consumers

Nursing Maternal Morbidity and Mortality and Preterm Birth Task Force

One of the highest incidences of maternal mortality and preterm births in the nation

• Limited obstetric health care in rural areas, which lack maternity care resources, where there may be no hospitals or birth centers offering obstetric care, and no obstetric providers

• 68% of maternal death deemed preventable; 58 deaths per 100,000 births

The Politically Active Nurse Citizens:

Register to vote

Vote in every election

keep informed about health care issues

Speak out when services or working conditions are inadequate

Participate in public forums

Know your local, state, and federal elected officials

Join politically active nursing organizations

Participate in community organizations that need health experts

Nursing Needs Your Contributions:

Mentors actively teach, encourage, and critique the process of growth & change in the learner

What is a political mentor meant to do?

to Guide and Support growth

What is a faculty member meant to do?

The advisor to the nursing student organization or honor society who can teach you leadership skills