[ANSWERED 2022] In a Microsoft Word document of 4-5 pages formatted in APA style, you will develop a process for advocating about an issue as a nurse, from identifying a problem that needs to be solved through articulating a process for doing so

In a Microsoft Word document of 4-5 pages formatted in APA style, you will develop a process for advocating

Reaching out a Solution

In a Microsoft Word document of 4-5 pages formatted in APA style, you will develop a process for advocating about an issue as a nurse, from identifying a problem that needs to be solved through articulating a process for doing so.

This assignment consists of answering each of the questions listed below from the “Political Analysis and Strategies” chapter of your course textbook. Write each question as a new topic area; then follow with a paragraph or two to answer the question.

Let us assume that you are a school nurse in a high school. At a recent school athletic event, a spectator suffered a cardiac arrest in the stands. A coach of the home team went into the high school to fetch the automatic emergency defibrillator (AED) only to find out that it was not readily available.

In the meantime, an emergency squad arrived and resuscitated the spectator. On Monday morning, you learn of the absence of the AED only to find out that it had been locked in the custodian’s closet. Reflect on the following questions outlined in the “Political Analysis and Strategies” chapter

• What is the issue?
• Is it my issue, and can I solve it?
• Is this the real issue or merely a symptom of a larger one?
• Does it need an immediate solution, or can it wait?
• Is it likely to go away by itself?
• Can I risk ignoring it?
• What are the possible solutions? Are there risks to these solutions?
• What steps would you need to take in order to solve the issue?
• Does anyone else at the school need to be involved in the solution?
• Where is the power leverage in the school to reach the preferred solution?
  • Reaching a solution requires the use of power vested in the nurse. Review Box 9-1 (Sources of Power) and determine which type(s) of power the school nurse has in this situation. State your reasons for your answer.

On a separate reference page, cite all sources using APA format. Please note that the title and reference pages should not be included in the total page count of your paper.

Expert Answer and Explanation

Reaching out a Solution

What is the issue?

Nurses have to go through many issues that need their attention in their line of work. The problems can include but not limited to, policy-based, medical equipment based, and financial-based problems. In this scenario, the high school nurse is experiencing the issue of poor storage of medical emergency equipment.

Is it my issue, and can I solve it?

Poor storage of medical equipment is a nursing issue, and they should be part of the team that provides solutions. According to Lavin et al. (2015), nurses should have medical equipment readily available so that they can effectively discharge their duties. However, if the tool is out of reach, the nurses will not save lives are required of them.

Is this the real issue or merely a symptom of a larger one?

The inadequate storage of medical equipment is not the real issue in this situation. The problem is part of a more significant issue, which is the lack of training staff on how to handle medical equipment. If the workers are not well trained, they will not have proper knowledge of how to handle medical tools (Freeland et al., 2016). Institution managers should also be trained on how to manage health tools.

Does it need an immediate solution, or can it wait?

A patient might die if not given immediate first aid treatment. However, Bojarski et al. (2016) report that nurses cannot provide proper first aid when the equipment to do so is lacking. Thus, this issue should be solved immediately to avoid significant situations in the future.

Is it likely to go away by itself?

Poor handling of medical equipment is part of the lack of training. Thus, it cannot go by itself. On that note, nurses should be involved in solving it.

Can I risk ignoring it?

A nurse or any other stakeholder cannot ignore the issue of improper handling of medical equipment. Freeland et al. (2016) argue that if emergency medical tools are missing, many people can die. Therefore, the nurse should step up and handle the issue with all the resources at his or her disposal.

What are the possible solutions? Are there risks to these solutions?

The first possible solution to mishandling medical equipment is training staff on how to handle the tools. The custodian could have been educated to give a nurse or any person in charge of student health who was on the shift to control the automatic emergency defibrillator (AED). The second solution is employing trained personnel to handle medical equipment.  The custodian of the AED was not medically trained to handle the therapeutic tool. The final solution is firing the custodian of AED for not being present during such a huge event where a person might develop a health issue.

What steps would you need to take in order to solve the issue?

The first step a nurse can take in solving the issue is researching, asking why the AED was not available when needed. Second is writing a report on the findings and presenting it to the revenant authorities within the school. Lastly, following up to check if his or her recommendations are being implemented.

Does anyone else at the school need to be involved in the solution?

Many people in the school need to be involved in solving the issue. The management should be included, and their thoughts collected. Also, the nurse should meet the finance and HR departments and discuss with them why they need to fire the current custodian and hire another person who is more qualified to handle medical equipment such as AED.

Where is the power leverage in the school to reach the preferred solution?

The school nurse can use the patient protection act and the power of influence in reaching the preferred position. Nursed are obligated by law to protect their patients (Salmond & Echevarria, 2017). The school nurse can use this rule to convince the school management to see things his way. Also, he or she can use the power of influence.

References

Bojarski, R. A., Slamin, J., Lang, P., Fitz, W., & Steines, D. (2016). U.S. Patent No. 9,387,079. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Freeland, T. R., Pathak, S., Garrett, R. R., Anderson, J. A., & Daniels, S. K. (2016). Using medical mannequins to train nurses in stroke swallowing screening. Dysphagia, 31(1), 104-110.

Lavin, M. A., Harper, E., & Barr, N. (2015). Health information technology, patient safety, and professional nursing care documentation in acute care settings. Online J Issues Nurs, 20(2).

Salmond, S. W., & Echevarria, M. (2017). Healthcare transformation and changing roles for nursing. Orthopedic nursing, 36(1), 12.

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FAQs

How nurses can advocate for themselves?

Nurses can advocate for themselves in several ways:

1. Education and Certification: Continuously pursue education and obtain relevant certifications to enhance skills and qualifications. This not only increases confidence but also strengthens bargaining power.
2. Active Participation in Professional Organizations: Join nursing associations and unions that advocate for nurses’ rights and provide resources for professional development. Actively participate in meetings, discussions, and initiatives to voice concerns and contribute to positive changes.
3. Networking: Build relationships with colleagues, mentors, and leaders within the healthcare industry. Networking can provide valuable support, advice, and opportunities for advancement.
4. Effective Communication: Clearly communicate needs, concerns, and accomplishments to supervisors and administrators. This includes advocating for fair compensation, manageable workloads, and access to necessary resources for quality patient care.
5. Know and Assert Rights: Familiarize yourself with labor laws, workplace policies, and collective bargaining agreements. Advocate for fair treatment, including appropriate compensation, adequate breaks, and a safe work environment.
6. Self-Care: Prioritize self-care to prevent burnout and maintain physical and mental well-being. Nurses who take care of themselves are better equipped to advocate for themselves and provide optimal care to patients.
7. Documentation: Keep thorough records of achievements, feedback, and incidents of workplace issues. Documentation can provide evidence when advocating for fair treatment or addressing concerns with management.
8. Collaboration and Teamwork: Work collaboratively with colleagues to address common concerns and advocate for improvements in working conditions. Collective advocacy often carries more weight and can lead to positive changes within the workplace.

What is an example of advocacy in nursing?

An example of advocacy in nursing could be advocating for a patient’s right to receive appropriate pain management. Suppose a nurse notices that a patient’s pain is not adequately managed despite repeated requests for relief. In this scenario, the nurse can:

1. Assess the Situation: Evaluate the patient’s pain level and their current pain management regimen, including medications and non-pharmacological interventions.
2. Communicate with the Healthcare Team: Discuss the situation with the attending physician and other members of the healthcare team, expressing concerns about the patient’s unrelieved pain and the potential impact on their well-being and recovery.
3. Educate the Patient: Explain to the patient the importance of managing pain effectively for their comfort and healing. Provide information about different pain management options and encourage them to communicate their needs and preferences.
4. Advocate for the Patient: If the current pain management plan is inadequate, advocate for adjustments to be made promptly. This may involve requesting a change in medication, dosage, or administration method to ensure optimal pain relief while minimizing side effects.
5. Follow Up: Continuously monitor the patient’s pain level and response to interventions. Follow up with the healthcare team to ensure that adjustments to the pain management plan are effective and appropriate.
6. Document Care and Advocacy Efforts: Document the patient’s pain assessment, interventions, and responses in their medical records. Include details of advocacy efforts made on behalf of the patient to ensure continuity of care and accountability.

How do nursing organizations advocate for nurses?

Nursing organizations advocate for nurses in various ways:

1. Policy Advocacy: Nursing organizations work to influence healthcare policies at local, national, and international levels. They lobby government officials, participate in policy development processes, and advocate for legislation that promotes the interests of nurses, such as safe staffing ratios, workplace safety regulations, and fair compensation.
2. Professional Development: Nursing organizations provide resources and support for continuing education, certification programs, and career advancement opportunities. By promoting professional development, they empower nurses to enhance their skills, qualifications, and job satisfaction.
3. Collective Bargaining: Many nursing organizations, particularly unions, engage in collective bargaining on behalf of nurses to negotiate employment contracts, wages, benefits, and working conditions. Through collective bargaining, nurses can advocate for fair treatment, improved working conditions, and better patient care standards.
4. Advocacy Campaigns: Nursing organizations launch advocacy campaigns to raise awareness about important issues affecting nurses and healthcare delivery. These campaigns often involve public outreach, media engagement, and grassroots organizing to mobilize support and effect change.
5. Legal Support: Nursing organizations may offer legal assistance and representation to nurses facing workplace challenges, such as discrimination, harassment, or disciplinary actions. By providing legal support, they ensure that nurses’ rights are protected and upheld.
6. Research and Data Analysis: Nursing organizations conduct research and data analysis to identify trends, challenges, and opportunities within the nursing profession. They use this evidence to inform advocacy efforts, develop policy recommendations, and advocate for evidence-based practices that benefit nurses and patients alike.
7. Coalition Building: Nursing organizations collaborate with other healthcare stakeholders, including patients, providers, educators, and policymakers, to amplify their advocacy efforts and achieve common goals. By building coalitions, they strengthen their collective voice and influence in shaping the future of healthcare.

How to cite a word document in APA 7th edition

To cite a Word document in APA 7th edition, you would need the following information:

• Author or authors (if applicable)
• Year of publication or creation (if available)
• Title of the document
• Type of document (e.g., manuscript, memorandum, report, etc.)
• Retrieval information (if the document was obtained online)

The basic format for citing a Word document in APA 7th edition is as follows:

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of document (Type of document). Retrieved from URL

If the document does not have an author, the title of the document should be listed first in the reference entry. If the document is not available online, you would omit the retrieval information.

For example:

Smith, J. (2022). Annual Report (Manuscript). Retrieved from https://www.example.com/annualreport.docx

In-text citation: (Smith, 2022)

Note that the above example assumes that the document was authored by an individual named Smith and was published in 2022. If any of these elements are different in your specific case, adjust the citation accordingly.

How to cite a website in APA 7th edition

To cite a website in APA 7th edition, you will need the following information:

• Author or authors (if applicable)
• Publication date or the date the content was last updated (if available)
• Title of the web page or article
• Website name
• URL

The basic format for citing a website in APA 7th edition is as follows:

Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of the web page or article. Website Name. URL

If the author is not known, the first element of the reference list entry would be the title of the webpage or article. If the publication date is not known, use the date of retrieval.

For example:

Smith, J. (2022, January 15). How to Cite a Website in APA 7th Edition. The Writing Center. https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/how-to-cite-websites/

If the website is maintained by an organization, use the name of the organization in place of the author.

In-text citation: (Smith, 2022)

If you are citing a specific section of a webpage or article, include the section heading and the paragraph number or heading, e.g. (Smith, 2022, “Citing a Website,” para. 3).

Note that these are just basic guidelines for citing a website in APA 7th edition. There are many variations depending on the specific type of content, such as blogs, videos, or social media posts, so be sure to consult the APA Publication Manual for more detailed instructions.