Health Care Policy and Nursing Associations

Running Head: Health Care. 1
Language Essay
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Running Head: Health Care. 2
Nursing associations are formations of groupings by nurses who have jointly come
together to achieve the same purpose. Most professionals form associations to address issues
concerning their welfare. Freiler et al. (2013) defines health care policy as steps, procedures and
guidelines set up to work towards bettering the condition of health care in a society. These
policies are embedded to visualize the goals to be achieved in short, medium and long term basis.
To implement a policy therefore needs inclusivity, public participation and empowerment of the
society.
American Nursing Association has over the years come up with policies drafted for
legislation. Researchers from American Nursing Association came up with the issue of
considering the trustworthiness of nurses in improving quality health care. Lorenc et al. (2014)
argue that incentives have purely been based on profitability, pressures from the markets, power
wrangles in organizations and salary increments. A different approach which includes the
judgment of nurses in administering their professional services to patients is crucial. They argue
that high quality care depends on the nurse-patient relationship, it is all about the discretion
engaged and not the guidelines set. The authors have drafted a bill for review by congress and
are in the process of bringing more like-minded scholars and researchers, policy makers and top
health staff on board to visualize their policy. They are however still mobilizing support.
There are however missing gaps in making the policy a success. Considering, its non-
profit approach, media coverage has become an impediment. The group has faced criticism with
media reports scrutinizing on areas of financial support. Shankardass K., Renahy E., Muntaner
C. & O'Campo P. (2015) have based their criticism on the fact that Medicare is a capitalistic
approach and not a cause of social justice. They argue that funds are needed for nurses to study
in form of incentives and scholarships. Nurses need drugs and equipment to facilitate their

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efficient delivery of services and therefore their approach of trustworthiness is not sufficient
reason for policy drafting. The association has also faced hurdles in convincing nurses from
states such as Georgia and California. The group is however still liaising with members of
congress and health stakeholders.