As healthcare providers, it is our responsibility to advocate for policies and practices that promote the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Our firsthand experience with patients gives us the ability to advocate for their rights and to influence healthcare practices and policies at local, state, and national levels (Nsiah et al., 2019).
An example of advocating for change in healthcare is advocating for safe staffing ratios in hospitals. A shortage of nurses in healthcare facilities is a common issue, especially in facilities that care for older adults, who often have multiple health conditions requiring ongoing treatment (Chiu et al., 2021). This shortage of nurses can lead to an overworked workforce, putting both patients and healthcare providers at risk.
I personally experienced this shortage of nurses when I worked in a healthcare facility where nurses were stretched thin. I reported the issue to my supervisor, but when no change was made, I reached out to the National Nurses United (NNU), a professional nursing organization that advocates for safe staffing ratios. The NNU is committed to lobbying for legislation mandating safe staffing ratios and raises awareness about nursing shortages through media campaigns and protests (Johnson et al., 2019). Thanks to the NNU’s efforts, the hospital was eventually able to hire additional nurses and provide the resources necessary to ensure effective and safe patient care (Abbasinia et al., 2019).
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In addition to advocating for staffing ratios, as healthcare providers, we can also lobby for policies related to mental health, health insurance coverage, poverty and social inequality, and other issues that prevent patients from receiving quality healthcare services. By speaking up and addressing these issues, we can make a positive impact on the lives of our patients.
In conclusion, as healthcare providers, we have the power to make a difference in the lives of our patients by advocating for policies and practices that promote their health and well-being. By working together, we can ensure that our practices are effective and our patients receive the best possible care.
References
Abbasinia, M., Ahmadi, F., & Kazemnejad, A. (2019). Patient advocacy in nursing: A concept analysis. Nursing Ethics, 27(1), 141-151. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969733019832950
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Chiu, P., Cummings, G. G., Thorne, S., & Schick-Makaroff, K. (2021). Policy advocacy and nursing organizations: A scoping review. Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice, 22(4), 276-296. https://doi.org/10.1177/15271544211050611
Iriarte‐Roteta, A., Lopez‐Dicastillo, O., Mujika, A., Ruiz‐Zaldibar, C., Hernantes, N., Bermejo‐Martins, E., & Pumar‐Méndez, M. J. (2020). Nurses’ role in health promotion and prevention: A critical interpretive synthesis. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 29(21-22), 3937-3949. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.15441
Johnson, W. G., Butler, R., Harootunian, G., Wilson, B., & Linan, M. (2019). Registered nurses: The curious case of a persistent shortage. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 48(4), 387-396. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.12218
Nsiah, C., Siakwa, M., & Ninnoni, J. P. (2019). Registered nurses’ description of patient