Advocacy in Healthcare Legislation
Reflecting on my journey through the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, I would have never imagined the opportunities that have unfolded, particularly the chance to participate in an advocacy role to advance healthcare legislation. On my first day of orientation, I focused primarily on clinical practice, quality improvement, and leadership. However, I soon realized that advocacy was a critical component of the DNP role and became a central part of my extracurricular activities. Participating in healthcare advocacy was a transformative experience that deepened my understanding of the intersection between policy and practice.
Advocacy for Healthcare Legislation
The extracurricular activity I chose to participate in was an advocacy role to advance healthcare legislation. This involved working with a coalition of nursing professionals to support a bill aimed at improving access to healthcare for underserved populations (Scott & Scott, 2021). The bill focused on expanding nurse practitioners' scope of practice, allowing them to provide more comprehensive care without the need for physician oversight. This legislative initiative aligned closely with my values as a DNP student and my commitment to access to healthcare and ensuring high-quality care for all patients.
I collaborated with various stakeholders during the advocacy process, including legislators, nursing associations, and community leaders. My role involved educating policymakers on the bill's importance, providing data on the positive outcomes of expanded nurse practitioner roles, and sharing personal stories from patients who had benefited from nurse-led care. I also participated in public hearings, contributed to drafting policy briefs, and helped organize grassroots advocacy efforts to garner support for the bill.
Legislative Advocacy Day
One of the critical events in my advocacy journey was attending a Legislative Advocacy Day at my state capitol. This event brought together nurses, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to discuss key healthcare issues and the proposed legislation. The day was structured around meetings with legislators, panel discussions, and workshops on effective advocacy strategies.
The experience was eye-opening. I realized how much influence healthcare professionals can have on shaping policies that directly affect patient care. Being part of a collective effort to promote legislative change made me feel empowered and connected to the broader goals of healthcare reform (Scott & Scott, 2021). The event reinforced the importance of advocacy in nursing, along with the role nurses play as leaders and change agents in the healthcare system.
What I Learned from the Experience
This advocacy experience taught me several important lessons. First, it highlighted the
5. Business Skills
According to Morse and Warshawsky (2021) the competency in business skills focuses on managing resources, understanding financial implications, and contributing to the strategic direction of healthcare organizations. While my advocacy efforts were not directly tied to financial management, I did gain an understanding of the economic impact of expanding nurse practitioner roles. By reducing healthcare costs and improving efficiency, this legislative change would have significant financial benefits for healthcare systems, particularly in underserved areas with limited access to primary care.
Sub-competency: Strategic Management Advocacy requires strategic thinking, particularly when navigating the complexities of the legislative process. I worked with the coalition to develop a strategic plan for advancing the bill, which included identifying key stakeholders, crafting targeted messages, and timing our advocacy efforts to align with the legislative calendar.
Conclusion
Reflecting on my DNP journey, I would have never imagined that I would play such an active role in advancing healthcare legislation. This experience has been transformative, both personally and professionally. It has deepened my understanding of the healthcare environment, enhanced my leadership skills, and strengthened my commitment to advocating for the a style ='color:#000;text-decoration: underline!important;' id='custom' target='_blank' href='https://www.paperdue.com/topic/nursing-profession-essays'>nursing profession and the patients we serve.
The skills and competencies I developed through this extracurricular activity will undoubtedly shape my future as a nurse leader. By linking my experience to the AONL Nurse Executive Competencies, I have gained a clearer understanding of how advocacy, leadership, and professionalism intersect in the role of the DNP-prepared nurse. As I continue my journey,…
References
Abbasinia, M., Ahmadi, F., & Kazemnejad, A. (2020). Patient advocacy in nursing: A concept analysis. Nursing ethics, 27(1), 141-151.
Morse, V., & Warshawsky, N. E. (2021). Nurse leader competencies: Today and tomorrow. Nursing administration quarterly, 45(1), 65-70.
Scott, S. M., & Scott, P. A. (2021). Nursing, advocacy and public policy. Nursing ethics, 28(5), 723-733.
Thomas, T., Martsolf, G., & Puskar, K. (2020). How to engage nursing students in health policy: results of a survey assessing students’ competencies, experiences, interests, and values. Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice, 21(1), 12-20.
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