17 Jan We know that the board of Nursing

NUR4837 Healthcare Policy, Advocacy, and the Political Process

Unit 3 Discussion

Topic 1:

Purpose: To provide students with the opportunity to explore the interface of political influence and a major health issue using tobacco use as a paradigm.

Instructions: Students are to complete the following steps including answering questions:

1. Trace the history of smoking and its effect on health (locate an article from a nursing journal on the hazards of smoking).

2. Who were the stakeholders in opposition to smoking?

3. Who were the lobbyists in favor of a hands-off approach?

4. What is the current use of tobacco products (e.g., smokeless tobacco)?

5. What is the current research on the use of these products?

6. What are the policy implications?

Topic 2:

Purpose: To provide the opportunity for students to compare and contrast the roles, scope of practice and perspectives of nurse practitioners and physicians and suggest a policy intervention

Instructions: Students are to complete the following steps including answering questions:

1. Select a specialty (e.g., family practice, pediatrics). Define the roles you will be addressing: physician and nurse practitioner.

2. Determine who regulates the scope of practice for the physician and the NP.

3. Summarize the scope of practice including the level of autonomy for each.

4. What are the barriers to practice?

5. What policy change would you suggest?

Topic 3:

Purpose: To provide the opportunity for you to select an area of personal interest in policy and politics in research and nursing science

Instructions: Re-read the following Chapter 49 & 50: Taking Action: Truth or Dare: One Nurse’s Political Campaign; Ch 50: Political Appointments

1. Why would a nurse want to seek an appointed position in government?

2. How would one prepare for consideration to an appointed position?

3. What problems are generally/can be encountered?

4. What topic are you passionate enough about to stand up for and identify a need for policy change? Expand on this.

5. Give an example through a library/internet search of how a nurse has affected public policy through an appointed position. (identify & expand on the policy)

Topic 4:

Purpose: To provide the opportunity for you to select an area of personal interest in policy and politics in research and nursing science

Instructions: Re-read Chapter 54: Nursing Licensure & Regulation ~ Exploring the role of the Board of Nursing

We know that the board of Nursing investigates complaints/charges of gross negligence and unsafe practice, but did you know that failure to repay student loans, failure to pay child support, DUI, or failure to file or pay taxes are also considered professional misconduct and can result in disciplinary action?

1. Review the issue of professional discipline related to the charges of substance abuse.

2. What is an “Alternative-to-discipline (ATD) program” (Hint: see https://www.ncsbn.org/672.htm (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. website) Have these been found to be effective?

3. Identify the ATD available in the state of Florida.

4. What policy(ies) do you believe should be put into place related to substance abuse & nurses to protect patient safety?

5. Do you believe, based on your readings, that the BON is effective in improving nursing practice? Why or why not?