Assignment Instructions
Research health care legislation that is being considered in your state. What impact might this legislation have on your future practice? What impact does it have on the collective practice of nurses in your state? How do you envision yourself potentially becoming involved in political advocacy for the profession in your future practice?
Sample Answer
Research health care legislation that is being considered in your state. What impact might this legislation have on your future practice?
The most recent development in healthcare legislation in Colorado is the introduction of a bill that prevents workplace violence in healthcare. This bill as introduced on January 10, 2024, comprises of two acts. The first act will be applicable to nursing care facilities, freestanding emergency departments, hospitals, assisted living residences, and nursing care facilities, and the second act will be applicable to community behavioral health providers (Gooch, 2024). Both acts require the healthcare facilities to develop a plan for violence prevention and submit workplace violence incident reports to state officials as they occur or twice a year. This legislation will affect my future practice as it will enable me to practice in a peaceful environment that is free from violence.
What impact does it have on the collective practice of nurses in your state?
The bill will have a collective impact on the nurses as it will protect nurses from the various types of violence that occur in the workplace that might be perpetrated by other nurses and patients. Violence that is perpetrated by the patients usually does not arise from discrete patient characteristics but from the associations between the vulnerabilities in the healthcare system and stressors (Beeber et al., 2023). Additionally, the bill will improve reporting of workplace violence as it creates guidelines for reporting violence, encourages healthcare organizations to invest in training nurses on conflict resolution, and prioritizes reporting of aggressive behaviors.
How do you envision yourself potentially becoming involved in political advocacy for the profession in your future practice?
As a nurse, there are several ways in which I can be involved in political advocacy. I can engage in advocacy by staying informed keeping up-to-date with the current policies and joining professional organizations that advocate for the best interests of the patients and nurses. I can advocate for the profession by communicating with the legislators by making phone calls, writing letters, and meeting with the state, local, and federal representatives. Additionally, I can participate in political advocacy by actively participating in elections and the voting process.
References
Beeber, L., Dellaney, K. T., Hauenstein, E., Lennaco, J., Schimmels, J., Sharp, D., & Shattel, M. (2023). Five Urgent Steps To Address Violence Against Nurses In The Workplace. HealthAffairs. https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/five-urgent-steps-address-violence-against-nurses-workplace
Gooch, K. (2024). Colorado considers bill to protect healthcare workers from violence. Becker's Hospital Review. https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/workforce/colorado-considers-bill-to-protect-healthcare-workers-from-violence.html