Nursing Advocacy: Influencing Policy for Health and Social Justice

PART I: Legislative Representatives and Policies

State Chosen: Florida

Selected House of Representatives:

1. Representative: Hon. Anna V. Eskamani
   • District: 42nd District
   • Party: Democrat
   • Relevant Bill 1: HB 157: Health Care Practitioner Regulation
     • Description: This bill seeks to amend provisions related to the regulation of various health care practitioners, potentially including scope of practice, licensure requirements, or continuing education. (Hypothetical bill based on common legislative activity).
     • Link to Nursing: This bill directly impacts nursing practice by potentially altering the regulatory environment for nurses, including Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). Changes to licensure or scope of practice can either empower nurses to practice to their full potential or create unnecessary barriers, affecting patient access to care.
     • Link to Population Health: Regulations on healthcare practitioners directly influence the accessibility and quality of health services for the population. Streamlined, evidence-based regulation can increase the healthcare workforce’s capacity, which is vital for addressing population health needs.
     • Rationale for Choosing: Regulations on healthcare practitioners are a perennial issue for nursing. Ensuring that these regulations are evidence-based and support full practice authority for nurses is crucial for optimizing healthcare delivery and addressing workforce shortages.
   • Relevant Bill 2: HB 7001: Affordable Housing Programs
     • Description: This bill proposes amendments to state affordable housing programs, potentially increasing funding, streamlining development, or expanding eligibility for housing assistance. (Hypothetical bill based on common legislative activity).
     • Link to Nursing: Nurses understand that housing is a fundamental social determinant of health. Unstable or inadequate housing negatively impacts chronic disease management, mental health, and access to healthy food and safe environments. Nurses frequently see the health consequences of housing insecurity in their patients.
     • Link to Population Health: Access to safe, stable, and affordable housing is directly correlated with improved population health outcomes, reduced emergency room visits, and better management of chronic conditions. This bill addresses a core non-medical factor influencing health.
     • Rationale for Choosing: This bill allows for advocacy that extends beyond direct clinical care into the broader social determinants of health, showcasing nursing’s holistic perspective on well-being and social justice.

Selected Senators:

1. Senator: Hon. Jason Pizzo
   • District: 37th District
   • Party: Democrat
   • Relevant Bill 1: SB 100: Mental Health Services Access
     • Description: This bill aims to expand access to mental health services, potentially through increased funding for community mental health centers, telehealth expansion, or improved reimbursement for mental health professionals. (Hypothetical bill based on common legislative activity).
     • Link to Nursing: Nurses are often the first point of contact for individuals experiencing mental health crises and play a critical role in screening, assessment, and referral. Increased access to services reduces the burden on emergency departments and improves patient outcomes. Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) are frontline providers in this area.
     • Link to Population Health: Improved access to mental health services is a critical component of overall population health, reducing suicide rates, substance abuse, and the exacerbation of physical health conditions linked to mental distress.
     • Rationale for Choosing: Mental health is a growing public health crisis, and nursing advocacy for expanded access aligns with the profession’s commitment to holistic care and addressing societal health needs.
   • Relevant Bill 2: SB 500: Public Health Workforce Development
     • Description: This bill proposes initiatives to strengthen the public health workforce, including scholarships for public health professionals, funding for training programs, and strategies for recruitment and retention in underserved areas. (Hypothetical bill based on common legislative activity).
     • Link to Nursing: Public health nurses are essential for disease surveillance, community health promotion, and emergency preparedness. This bill directly supports the pipeline and retention of nurses in crucial public health roles.
     • Link to Population Health: A robust and well-trained public health workforce is foundational to protecting and improving the health of the entire population, especially during public health emergencies or in addressing health disparities.
     • Rationale for Choosing: This bill directly addresses the need for a strong nursing workforce in a critical public health domain, demonstrating nursing’s commitment to systemic health improvements.

PART 2: Writing a Letter to the Selected Representative

(I will choose to write to Representative Anna V. Eskamani regarding HB 157: Health Care Practitioner Regulation, with a focus on APRN full practice authority.)

Rationale for Choosing Bill HB 157 (Health Care Practitioner Regulation): I have chosen to write to Representative Anna V. Eskamani regarding HB 157 because this bill directly impacts the ability of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to practice to the full extent of their education and training in Florida. As a constituent and a future nurse, I believe that removing outdated barriers to APRN practice is one of the most impactful ways to improve patient access to high-quality care, particularly in primary care and underserved areas. This issue is critical for optimizing the nursing workforce and aligns directly with evidence-based recommendations for improving healthcare delivery.

[Your Name] [Your Street Address] [Your City, FL, Your ZIP Code] [Your Phone Number] [Your Email Address] [Date]

The Honorable Anna V. Eskamani Florida House of Representatives District 42 [Representative’s Office Address – e.g., 402 House Office Building, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300] [Representative’s Office City, FL, Representative’s Office ZIP Code]

Subject: Support for Full Practice Authority for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in Florida (Regarding HB 157)

Dear Representative Eskamani,

As a constituent residing in [Your City, Your ZIP Code] and an aspiring registered nurse, I am writing to urge your strong support for provisions within HB 157, “Health Care Practitioner Regulation,” that would grant full practice authority to Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in Florida. I understand this bill addresses various aspects of healthcare regulation, and I believe that empowering APRNs is a critical step towards improving healthcare access and outcomes for all Floridians.

Currently, Florida is one of the few states that still require physician supervision for APRNs, despite their extensive graduate-level education and rigorous national certification. This outdated requirement creates unnecessary barriers to care, particularly in our state’s growing number of primary care shortage areas and rural communities. APRNs are highly qualified healthcare providers who can diagnose, treat, prescribe medications, and manage patient care independently, as demonstrated by their successful full practice authority in 28 other states and the District of Columbia.

The evidence overwhelmingly supports the safety, effectiveness, and cost-efficiency of APRN-led care. Studies consistently show that patient outcomes are comparable, and in some cases even superior, when APRNs practice independently (American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 2023). Granting full practice authority would allow us to leverage our highly skilled nursing workforce more effectively, expanding access to essential primary care, mental health services, and preventative care without compromising quality. This is not just a nursing issue; it is a patient access issue that impacts the health and well-being of our entire community.

As you deliberate on HB 157, I respectfully ask you to champion provisions that remove the supervisory requirement for APRNs. This legislative change would be a significant step towards modernizing Florida’s healthcare system, improving access for your constituents, and ensuring that our state can meet the growing demand for healthcare services.

Thank you for your time, consideration, and dedication to the health of our community. I am available to provide further information or discuss this critical issue at your convenience.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

PART 3: Identify a Policy/Issue and Advocacy Strategy from a Selected Nursing Organization

Selected Nursing Organization: American Nurses Association (ANA)

Policy Advocacy Section Location: The ANA’s policy advocacy section is prominently featured on their official website, typically under a tab like “Advocacy,” “Policy & Advocacy,” or “Issues & Policy.” Within this section, one can usually find their legislative agenda, policy briefs, action alerts, and resources for nurse advocates.

Current Legislative/Advocacy Agenda (Most Recent – as of my last update, generally consistent themes):

The American Nurses Association (ANA) consistently advocates for policies that support the nursing profession, improve patient outcomes, and advance public health. A recurring and highly relevant issue on their legislative agenda is “Promoting Safe Staffing Levels and Addressing the Nursing Shortage.”

ANA’s Advocacy Agenda on Safe Staffing: The ANA advocates for federal and state legislation that mandates appropriate nurse-to-patient ratios, promotes safe staffing models, and provides funding for nursing education and workforce development. They argue that inadequate staffing levels contribute to nurse burnout, medication errors, hospital-acquired infections, and increased patient mortality. Their agenda typically includes:

• Federal Legislation: Support for bills like the “Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act” (if active) which would establish minimum nurse-to-patient ratios in hospitals.
• State-Level Advocacy: Encouraging states to pass similar legislation or implement robust staffing committees that include direct care nurses.
• Workforce Development: Advocating for increased federal funding for nursing schools, scholarships, and loan forgiveness programs to address the nursing shortage.
• Nurse Well-being: Promoting policies that support nurse mental health and well-being to improve retention.

Advocacy Strategy Employed by ANA:

The ANA employs a multi-pronged advocacy strategy to advance its agenda on safe staffing and nursing workforce issues:

1. Lobbying and Direct Advocacy: ANA maintains a strong presence in Washington D.C. and at state capitols, directly lobbying legislators and their staff. They provide expert testimony, policy briefs, and data to inform policymakers about the critical need for safe staffing and the impact of the nursing shortage. They leverage their political action committee (ANA-PAC) to support candidates who champion nursing issues.
2. Grassroots Mobilization (Action Alerts): ANA empowers its members (individual nurses) to engage in advocacy through “Action Alerts.” These alerts notify nurses about specific bills or policy decisions and provide pre-written email templates or scripts for phone calls, making it easy for nurses to contact their elected officials. This strategy highlights the importance of individual nurses as constituents.
3. Public Awareness Campaigns: ANA launches public awareness campaigns to educate the public about the importance of safe nurse staffing for patient safety. They use media relations, social media, and partnerships with patient advocacy groups to amplify their message, creating public pressure on policymakers.
4. Research and Data Dissemination: ANA commissions and disseminates research on the impact of nurse staffing on patient outcomes, nurse burnout, and healthcare costs. This evidence-based approach provides the factual foundation for their policy arguments, aligning with evidence-based practice in policy advocacy.
5. Coalition Building: ANA collaborates with other healthcare organizations, labor unions, and patient advocacy groups to form powerful coalitions that collectively lobby for safe staffing legislation. This amplifies their voice and broadens their influence.

This comprehensive strategy demonstrates how a major nursing organization leverages various tools and resources, from direct lobbying to grassroots engagement and public education, to advocate for a key nursing issue that profoundly impacts patient safety and professional nursing practice. It underscores the critical role of collective nurse-centered advocacy in inspiring and achieving systemic change in healthcare policy.

References:

American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (2023). State Practice Environment. Retrieved from https://www.aanp.org/advocacy/state/state-practice-environment (Note: Please verify the most current official AANP link for this resource).