Nursing

NUR4108 Legislative Advocacy Letter Guideline/Rubric

Course Objectives, Program Student Learning Outcomes, and AACN Essentials:

1. Participate as a nursing professional in political processes and grassroots legislative efforts to influence healthcare policy. (Advocacy/Policy; BSN Essential V, VII, VIII)

2. Demonstrate knowledge of healthcare policy, finance, and regulatory environments, including local, state, national, and global healthcare trends. (Advocacy/Policy; BSN Essential V, VII, VIII)

4. Explore the impact of socio-cultural, economic, legal, and political factors influencing healthcare delivery and practice. (Care Coordination & Advocacy/Policy; BSN Essential I, II, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX)

5. Identify the implications of healthcare policy on the issues of access, equity, affordability, and social justice in healthcare delivery. (Advocacy/Policy; BSN Essential V, VII, & VIII)

6. Examine legislative and regulatory processes relevant to the provision of healthcare. (Advocacy/Policy; BSN Essential V, VII, & VIII)

Title: Legislative Advocacy Letter

Audience: State or Federal Legislator

Point of view: First Person

Format: Formal professional letter (to be submitted as an email)

Template: No template

Length: One-page letter/email

References: Reference the bill in the body of the letter/email. Grading Rubric: Please see the Assignment Rubric for further details related to this assessment and grading criteria.

Assignment Guidelines: Nurses’ expertise and empathy are valued in the health care setting. As nurses, we should ensure that we each contribute to advancing the nursing profession through health policies that will improve health care. In this course, you will have the opportunity to learn how you can become a grassroots nurse advocate by acting and speaking as one collective voice. In preparation for this assignment and during week one, identify your legislators at the federal and state level

(including your U.S. Congressional Representative, U.S. Senators, State Senators, and State House

Representatives and how to reach them) from the following website: https://www.govtrack.us/ You can also refer to

the following web sites:

American Nurses Association (ANA) Policy and Advocacy. Here you can find state legislative issues the ANA is

promoting across the country. http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/Policy-Advocacy

Florida Nurses Association-Nursing, Advocacy, Engagement http://cqrcengage.com/fln/home?0

Florida Center for Nursing (FCN) and the Action Coalition (FL-AC) https://www.flcenterfornursing.org/FL-ActionCoalition.aspx

Follow the steps outlined below to write a letter that will be emailed to your Congressperson or Senator to express

your view on an issue in nursing that is negatively impacting or will negatively impact health care. The letter/email

should reflect professionalism and be proof-read. It is recommended that you write your letter on a Word document

which you will then copy and paste into the email.

Address the following in about 4 paragraphs to include:

1. Introduce yourself; state the issue that you will address in the letter that is causing the problem. Include bill information if applicable.

2. Your opinion on this issue. Why is your issue important for you as a registered nurse? Research the issue to support your argument. Include current socioeconomic, political, or ethical issues surrounding the problem as well as the implications of the problem for patients, nursing or nursing practice.

3. Restate your purpose for writing the letter. Ask the Congressperson/Senator to help to take action to address the issue.

4. Ensure that you thank the Congressperson/Senator

Important: You may base this letter/email on the policy brief you will prepare in Week 6 or you can choose a

different issue/bill.

For Submission: Submit your letter and email documentation of being sent to your chosen legislator. Also upload

any response that you receive from the legislator (even if it is after the week of submission!

NUR4108 Legislative Advocacy Letter Rubric

Overall

Grading Scale> A

90-100% B

80-89.99% C

70-79.99% D = 65-69.99% F = 0-64.99%

Requirement Title Brief Description Excellence Above Average Average Below Average/Failing

Introduction and Legislator Identification 25%

Identification of a legislator who has the power to take action

Clearly presents the legislator’s relationship to the issue Introduction present

Presents the

legislator’s

relationship to the

issue with minor gaps

in accuracy

Introduction present

Presents the

legislator’s

relationship to the

issue with major gaps

in accuracy

Introduction may or

may not be present

Choice of legislator

does not relate

directly to the

issue

No introduction

Current Issue 30%

Preparation of a concise letter that cites the current socioeconomic, political, or ethical issues surrounding the problem as well as the implications of the problem for patients, nursing or nursing practice

Describes explicitly

the issues that will or

might be affected by

the legislation

including any relevant

bill

Describes generally

the issues that will or

might be affected by

the legislation

including any relevant

bill

Description of the

issues that will or

might be affected by

the legislation is

present with minor

gaps

Did not describe

the issues that will

or might be

affected by the

legislation or has

major inaccuracies

Taking Action 30%

Your ability to determine an appropriate action and make a request for that action

Describes explicitly a realistic and though- out action that can be assumed by the legislator.

Describes generally a realistic and though- out action that can be assumed by the legislator.

Description of the proposed action is present, but not clear or realistic.

Did not describe or propose any action.

Professionalism 15% Letter/email reflects professionalism

Clearly and professionally thanks legislator for their time. All components reflect a high level of professionalism.

A thank you to the legislator is present. All components reflect professionalism.

A thank you and professionalism is present with minor gaps

No thank you is included or content does not reflect professionalism