DB 3

Textbooks:

Policy and Politics in Nursing and Health Care,Elsevier Saunders, 2021, 8th edition

· Read Chapters 6, 7, 9, 12, 14, 22, 34, 36, 40, 52, 64

This week’s readings and lecture offered information related to lobbyists and advocates. Is there a difference between being a lobbyist and an advocate? Lobbyists provide support for policy, as do advocates, so what is the difference? Most nurses consider themselves patient advocates; however a political advocate is somewhat different. In this discussion, differentiate between a lobbyist and an advocate. Be sure to discuss a political advocate rather than a bedside advocate. Topics to include:

· Definition of a lobbyist.

· Definition of an advocate.

· Similarities and differences.

· Why are they both important?

· How does one of your selected organizations (choose one you used in your week 1 DB - What is the definition of Nursing Excellence - these organizations were discussed in the week 1 PowerPoint) lobby or advocate for health care policy?

References:

· Initial Post: Minimum of two (2) total references: one (1) from required course materials and one (1) from peer-reviewed references.

Words Limits

· Initial Post: Minimum 200 words excluding references (approximately one (1) page)

Lecture slides notes

Is Politics a Dirty Word? For many nurses, politics is a dirty word or one that they just do not want to hear, or even discuss. It is a debauched side of policy-making that they just choose to disregard. Unfortunately, participating in the political aspects of policy

making is not optional for

nursing excellence. Janice Kay Lanier tells us that. participation is key to ensuring that nurses have a "place at the table". She is speaking of the policy table. Before nurses can influence policy, we must

be present at the table of policy debate and development. If we do not

show up we cannot influence policy. Another reason politics is

often seen as an area of

distaste is we think we must have' 'special expertise' in the political arena. This is not true. In order to participate in policy making, all you need is to be able to participate, have a passion for the profession of

nursing, and to support change.

The next several slides will discuss several 'political rules' to help you navigate through

the political network.

1 Constituents: Residents of geographic area who can vote fo a candidate and whom the elected officials represent.

2 Interest groups; An organized group with a common cause that works to influence the outcome of laws, regulations, or programs

3 Political Action Committee PAC: A PAC is a formal organization that exist to engage in a process through with candidates for political offices are endorsed and otherwise supported.it must adhere to state and federal laws In carrying out its activities

4 Lobbyist: Individual who work to influence legislation and other government decision makers.

5 Advocates: Individuals who speak or write in support or defense of individual, families system, communities, and issues.

Nursing Lobbyists We are going to spend a little more time discussing nursing lobbyists and advocates.

Lanier does a wonderful job explaining the aspects of effective lobbying. She proposes that it is similar to a three-legged stool. Each of the legs of the stool is essential to the strength of the stool as a

whole. Click on the legs, in order, to understand the importance of effective lobbying.

1 Leg one is the formal work that is provided by independent paid individuals or groups. Lobbying is the act of influencing - no bill becomes a law without lobbyist involvement.

Lobbyists are seen as experts by lawmakers and can provide information or rationales for support Or against particular bills.

2 leg two is the grassroots lobbyist- grassroots lobbyists are constituents who have power to elect officials through their votes. Through Dr boots. When the constituents have expertise in important issues they are seen as valuable resources

3 let's 3 is money, another dirty bite of politics: the amount of money spent does affect election and reelection. another part of the third leg is special interest groups and PACS. candidates that are endorsed by large special interest groups and PACs are often successful.

Advocacy Outside the Clinical Setting

Earlier we defined an advocate as an individual that speaks or writes in support or defense of

individuals, families, systems, communities, and issues. As a nurse, I am sure you consider

yourself a patient advocate because you speak out for your patients and their family.

making sure that they understand their treatments, helping coordinate their care,

witnessing informed consent, etc.

Over the next couple of slides, we will look at nursing

advocacy outside of the clinical setting.

I think it is important to understand the history of nursing advocacy. There may

be some of you that remember a time when nursing did not always advocate for the

patient; we gave loyalty to physicians and hospitals and not to our patients. While we

are slowly turning away from a paternalistic model, nurses still battle with allegiance to

employer, health care providers, and our patients.

Listed on the slide are two

forefront nurses that provide a

deep history of nursing and

advocacy...

.. think we would

have all expected Florence

Nightingale to be on the list!

Advocacy Outside the Clinical

Setting - cont.

We are going to discuss three

topics of advocacy outside the

clinical setting. If you work in

a clinical setting please do not

skip this slide, because it also

concerns you and the

profession of nursing.

Advocacy through coalitions is

often a small stepping-stone to

lobbying for health care issues.

Nurses are excellent resources

for coalitions; we provide

evidence-based expertise and

our profession gives credibility

to the issue. Your textbook

examines an in-home service

program for children. Take the

time to review the process of

the coalition on page 35. How

would you have advocated for

the in home Medicaid

program to continue? Can

you think of an issue in your

hometown or state that could

use a coalition? If so, what

role could you play?

Community and public health

advocacy is a rapidly growing

area of importance, not only

to our communities, but a

prevalent topic in

government, as well. Can you

think of a community or

public health care issue in your

area that you could advocate

for? Power plant pollution?

Water company spillage? Lack

of funding for after school

care? Lack of funding for

mental health care? I'm sure

you have thought of some

that I haven't

We could develop an entire

course around professional

advocacy.

advocating for

your profession.

Years ago the

nurse to patient ratio was 13

to 1. Thanks to professional

advocacy it's down to 5 to 1,

or less, at most facilities. There

is actually a Ratios Coalition,

click on the links to see

professional advocacy at its

best.

The Policy Process

While we discuss the policy

process, think of your project

issue. Most of you may not

have an issue that is suited for

a political policy, however, it

should be suited for a policy

within your facility or

community. Process your issue

through the policy process, it

will be important for your

assignment this week. If you

have strategic support you will

be more likely to get your

policy on the agenda.

The first step is getting your

policy on the agenda. Click on

each button to learn about the

importance of policy

presentation.

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As always, you must research

the problem. By providing

evidence-based research and a

public or political perspective,

your policy will more likely go

to the next step. It is also

imperative that you provide

options for your policy: are

there other action steps,

resources, or outcomes.?

Who are your stakeholders? I

promise, you cannot do this

alone. Involve interest groups,

advocacy groups and nursing

organizations.

We have all learned the

nursing process, it is very

similar to the policy process:

you have assessed that there is

an issue, you worked with

an issue, you worked with

your patient and family to

develop a treatment plan, and

now you are ready to

implement the plan.

What are

the next steps? I'm sure you

thought of

"evaluate"! If your

policy needs modification,

change it. If it's not broken,

leave it alone.or repeal it!

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Conclusion

Let's wrap this all together.

Throughout this presentation I

hope that you have been able

to put the terms policy,

lobbyists and advocates

together with nursing

excellence. The importance of

nurses participating in politics

by developing policy,

lobbying and being an

advocate for your profession,

community, patients and their

families is not optional. We

can influence policy, and the

only expertise we need is our

profession.