Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Chapter 3, “Government Response: Legislation” (pp. 37–56)
Chapter 10, “Overview: The Economics and Finance of Health Care” (pp. 180–183 only)

Congress.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2018, from https://www.congress.gov/

Taylor, D., Olshansky, E., Fugate-Woods, N., Johnson-Mallard, V., Safriet, B. J., & Hagan, T. (2017). Corrigendum to position statement: Political interference in sexual and reproductive health research and health professional education. Nursing Outlook, 65(2), 346–350. doi:10.1016/j.outlook.2017.05.003.

United States House of Representatives. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2018, from https://www.house.gov/

United States Senate. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2018, from https://www.senate.gov/

United States Senate. (n.d.). Senate organization chart for the 115th Congress. Retrieved September 20, 2018, from https://www.senate.gov/reference/org_chart.htm

Document: Legislation Grid Template (Word document)

Required Media

Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Working with Legislators [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Accessible player –Downloads–Download Video w/CCDownload AudioDownload Transcript

Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Introduction to Health Policy and Law with Joel Teitelbaum [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Accessible player –Downloads–Download Video w/CCDownload AudioDownload TranscriptCredit: Provided courtesy of the Laureate International Network of Universities.

Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Contemporary Issues in Public Health Policy with Joel Teitelbaum [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Accessible player –Downloads–Download Video w/CCDownload AudioDownload Transcript

Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Peter Beilenson: Population Health [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Accessible player –Downloads–Download Video w/CCDownload AudioDownload Transcript

Discussion: Politics and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

Regardless of political affiliation, individuals often grow concerned when considering perceived competing interests of government and their impact on topics of interest to them. The realm of healthcare is no different. Some people feel that local, state, and federal policies and legislation can be either helped or hindered by interests other than the benefit to society.

Consider for example that the number one job of a legislator is to be reelected. Cost can be measured in votes as well as dollars. Thus, it is important to consider the legislator’s perspective on either promoting or not promoting a certain initiative in the political landscape.

To Prepare:

• Review the Resources and reflect on efforts to repeal/replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
• Consider who benefits the most when the policy is developed and in the context of policy implementation.

Assignment: Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement

As a nurse, how often have you thought to yourself, If I had anything to do about it, things would work a little differently? Increasingly, nurses are beginning to realize that they do, in fact, have a role and a voice.

Many nurses encounter daily experiences that motivate them to take on an advocacy role in hopes of impacting policies, laws, or regulations that impact healthcare issues of interest. Of course, doing so means entering the less familiar world of policy and politics. While many nurses do not initially feel prepared to operate in this space effectively, the reward is the opportunity to shape and influence future health policy.

To Prepare:

• Select a bill that has been proposed (not one that has been enacted) using the congressional websites provided in the Learning Resources.

The Assignment: (1- to 2-page Legislation Grid; 1-page Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement)

Be sure to add a title page, an introduction, a purpose statement, and a conclusion. This is an APA paper.

Part 1: Legislation Grid

Based on the health-related bill (proposed, not enacted) you selected, complete the Legislation Grid Template. Be sure to address the following:

• Determine the legislative intent of the bill you have reviewed.
• Identify the proponents/opponents of the bill.
• Identify the target populations addressed by the bill.
• Where in the process is the bill currently? Is it in hearings or committees?

Part 2: Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement

Based on the health-related bill you selected, develop a 1-page Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement that addresses the following:

• Advocate a position for the bill you selected and write testimony in support of your position.
• Describe how you would address the opponent to your position. Be specific and provide examples.
• At least 2 outside resources and 2-3 course-specific resources are used.

Submit your completed legislation grid and testimony/advocacy statement.

 

Research is a systemic investigation used to answer questions. For nursing, research uses the scientific process to study nursing questions for nursing practice. “Research promotes accountability, which is one of the hallmarks of the nursing profession and a fundamental concept of the American Nurses Association Code of Nurses,” (Haber, 2018, p.7). An example of this would be exploring how patients rate their pain on a numeric scale. This type of research helps with evaluating the experience patients feel post-operative.   Evidence-based practice (EBP) is the collection and evaluation of valid research, clinical expertise, and patient values to make a clinical decision. “The IOM has issued a challenge to change the way nursing is practiced by bridging the chasm between research knowledge and practice.” (Brower, 2017, p.18). EBP can ensure the best practice of care for patients, along with decreasing mortality rates. An example of EBP would be a nurse gathering research based on how health care clinics bring about lowering hospital-acquired infections, and using that evidence from the research to provide the best possible outcome. Quality improvement (QI) is using data from different outcomes of care and improvement processes to improve the quality of health care. Current nursing knowledge and methods are researched, alongside with outcomes of certain care processes to answer a question in order to make improvements in nursing care for patients. An example of QI would be a nurse conducting research for an outcome of care involving patient injuries. The nurse would use already existing studies on how health care facilities prevent patient injuries, compare this knowledge to the methods the health care facility they work at use with the outcomes presented, and then create a possible new method of care that can be an improvement. 

Brower, J., E., & Nemec, R. (2017). Origins of evidence-based practice and what it means for nurses. International Journal of Childbirth Education, 32(2), 14-18. 

Haber, J., & Lobiondo-Wood, G. (2018). Nursing research: Methods and critical appraisal for evidence-based practice (9th ed.). St. Louis: Elsevier. 

 

On the basis of the Cultural Barriers to scenario and your knowledge on communication, answer the following questions:

• What plan do you suggest for handling communication problems involved in the given scenario? Why?
• Poor communication is the root cause of many errors and adverse events. Do you agree with this statement? Explain why?
• What are the two major problems associated with written communication and two with verbal communication in an organization?
• What actions can individuals take to ensure their communication is effectively received? Why is this important?
• What factors can affect someone’s ability to receive communication?
• What values are encouraged when one complies with effective communication methods?
• What are the benefits of having a culturally diverse team?
• What is the organization’s significance and responsibility to train  all staff members to comply with regulations and requirements?

 

Cultural Barriers to Communication Communication is essential whether at home or in the work environment. Managers and team members are challenged in the healthcare field as effective communication is essential to transfer 

information, develop common understanding and enhance knowledge. Maste

ring communication skills reduces errors related to consumers and handling of patients and increases effective interaction with patients, consumers, peers, colleagues and other departments.  Let’s read the following scenario.

A healthcare manager sent an e-mail stating the unit would begin to incorporate a new patient safety program, where patients who are at risk will need to wear yellow socks. This identifies a protocol, which includes keeping the bed rails up and requires thirty -minute rounding to make certain that the patients are not getting out of bed without assistance. A registered nurse (RN), recently employed from China, has a language barrier, even though she has passed her state 

boards. She is not familiar with e-mail as a communication method in her past work environment in China.The RN from China, Meelynn, does not read the e-mail directive and her patient is not given the proper protocol procedures. The patient falls from the bed and now has been transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU). The manager is now meeting with her to understand how this occurred 

and to educate Meelynn about effective communication methods used in the organization. You heard Meelynn say to other workers, “I don’t think this is my fault.  We get ten e-mails each day, text messages from management, and we are expected to read all of it and care for patients. I don’t have time to read all the messages the manager sends to me. Some of the messages I don’t even understand what she means and I cannot go and take time to find her.”  

 

Cover Letter

A significant part of a registered nurse’s job involves communicating with patients and providing emotional support. A successful cover letter should emphasize examples of your bedside manner and empathy as well as your emotional stability and composure in difficult situations.

 Follow these steps to create your customized entry-level, registered nurse cover letter:

You are applying for a job at Kindred Hospital in South Florida. Research the unique needs, characteristics, and culture of the hospital. 
1. Specify how you’re a good fit for the position. (10 points)
2. Highlight your specialties and skills which set you apart from other nurses, paying particular attention to those that required additional training. (10 points)
3. Don’t neglect soft skills that are highly relevant to a position as a registered nurse, such as problem solving, teamwork, communication, and leadership. (5 points)
4. Carefully proofread your cover letter before submitting to make sure all contact information is correct and that there are no misspellings.(5 points)

respond 

 

Experience

            I work as a Patient Care Supervisor in an Acute Care Hospital. Currently, I am taking a Nurse Executive Specialty Track for my MSN that will enhance or develop my knowledge in leadership. As a Patient Care Supervisor, I am tasked with staffing whereby I ensure there is enough staff depending on the census of the unit. Whenever there are bedside procedures, I ensure that supplies are charged. Every day I make sure that we have supplies like juice, jello for the patients, and linens. Therefore, there is need for budgeting for proper planning of the finances involved. I am also regularly consulted by the hospital CFO to report financial information for my unit that would be useful in the budgeting process.

Reflection

            A preconceived notion I held is that budgeting is merely about expenses or how much money is available to be spent. Additionally, I believed that budgeting is a similar process across organizations. However, through this week’s concepts, I now have a better understanding of what budgeting entails. For instance, I am now enlightened that the budgeting process should closely consider organizational goals, mission, vision, and strategic plan. I have also learnt two types of budgeting, that is, incremental and zero-based budgeting. Incremental budgeting is common among public entities while zero-based budgeting is commonly used by private organizations (Menifield, 2017).

Implications for the Future

            The knowledge gained this week has positive implications for the future. In relation to how I view my proposed project, I will take into consideration the influence of financial management on quality outcomes in patient care. An area of financial data gathering that may be useful for my plan concerns patient record keeping. The ability to comprehend the budgeting process is an added advantage for any health care leader (Leger & Dunham-Taylor, 2018).