Advocacy Through Legislation - Case Study

Advocacy Through Legislation
Identify a problem or concern in your state, community, or organization that can be advocated through legislation. Research the issue
and complete the sections below. For each topic that requires the listing of criteria, a minimum of two criteria should be identified and
discussed. Add more rows as is appropriate for the topic/proposal.
Problem
In no more than 250 words, describe the problem, who is affected, and the current ramifications. Explain the consequences if the
issue continues.
In the state of Arizona, one of the problems which have been persistent for a long time is the shortage of nursing staff in the
healthcare administrations. It is because of this issue that an optimum level of care is not being provided to the patients who have
been admitted to the hospitals with numerous illnesses. Majority of the effect is being experienced by the community of patients as
they are unable to get appropriate care as and when needed (Johnson et al., 2016). The nurses are required to take numerous patients
at one time which make it difficult for them to look after the welfare of the patient. It is because of the overtime of some of the
nursing professionals that they experience mental health issues and increased level of depression and work-related stress. This, in
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turn, further influences the quality of care that is being provided to an ever-increasing number of patients. Currently, understanding
the growing population of Arizona, the government must implement certain measures in the form of legislation such that the
prevalence of nursing shortage could be aimed to reduce (Owens, 2019). Hence, if the issue persists, the population will be left
devoid of the deserved healthcare and nursing care for the improvement in the health and increasing the patient satisfaction rate with
the quality of care in the coming times.
The idea for Addressing Solution
In no more than 250 words, outline your idea for addressing the issue and explain why legislation is the best course for advocacy.
One of the main ideas to resolve the prevalence of nursing shortage in the state of Arizona is to advocate with the provision of the
nurses to the legislative assembly such that their concerns are heard and acted upon (Fischer, 2016). The nursing community must
advocate for the enactment of new legislation which surrounds that the number of nursing staff in the state hospitals has to reach a
certain number after they have passed from their education curriculum and briefly assessing their practical knowledge. Majority of
the nurses lack the practical knowledge and hence, decide to withdraw from the profession (Zhang et al., 2018). It is with the help of
this legislation that the number of staffs in the hospitals could be hoped to increase and quality healthcare could be provided. It is
the responsibility of the various interprofessional in the nursing department to ensure that their critical point is clearly understood by
the judges of the legislative assembly and critical action is laid out. Hence, it could be apprehended that legislation is the best form
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of advocacy as it is expected that the situation of the state after the enactment may turn out to better than the current condition.
Research the Issue
Perform research and compile information for your idea. Present substantive evidence-based findings that support your idea for
addressing the problem (studies, research, and reports). Include any similar legislation introduced or passed in other states.
Evidence 1 Fixed staffing models for nursing staff have been previously implemented in
numerous states of United States which have shown a positive result for an increase in
nursing staff members and reduction in stress levels due to overtime (Yang, Hung &
Chen, 2015).
Evidence 2 14 states in the United States have been putting restrictions to nursing staff in their
hospitals for working overtime (Caruso et al., 2017). It is the responsibility of the
nursing administration to ensure the mental wellbeing of nursing professionals and
providing quality care to their patients (Luther et al., 2017).
Stakeholder Support
Discuss the stakeholders who would support the proposed idea and explain why they would be in support.
Stakeholder(s) Supporting 1 The Nursing Board or Agency will be one of the organizations which will be ensuring
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