politics, policy and nursing

Question 1

2 types of policy

Answer 1

Public-
Local, state, and federal
Legislation, regulation, and court rulings
Private-
Institutional or business
Hospitals and accrediting organizations

Question 2

Public policy

Answer 2

Public
An idea from an individual or group becomes a bill
The bill is reviewed by one or more legislative committees
The bill goes to the House or Senate and is approved
The bill goes to the alternate side of Congress and is approved
The bill goes to the Executive branch for signature

Question 3

Private policy

Answer 3

An idea comes from and individual or group and becomes a proposal
The proposal goes to a committee for review
The proposal follows the chain of command until it is approved
*this process will vary dependent upon the organizational structure and their approved procedures

Question 4

What is latent power?

Answer 4

hidden/unused power

Question 5

what is expert power?

Answer 5

unique knowledge/skill that combines caring/science/tech

Question 6

what is legitimate power?

Answer 6

established by status/role

Question 7

What is referent power?

Answer 7

respect/admiration

Question 8

what is reward power?

Answer 8

the ability to give people what they want while getting what you want

Question 9

getting involved

Answer 9

Start to identify health care issues that are important to you
View legislator’s and professional organization’s websites
Contact legislators- email, letters, phone
Attend workshops or courses in advocacy and policy development
Identify evidence-based research that supports your position
Join a professional organization
Exercise your right to vote!
Becoming politically active

Question 10

getting involved: professional organizations

Answer 10

Types of Professional Organizations
Broad Interest Organizations
American Nurses Organization (ANA, ANA- IL)
National League for Nursing (NLN)
National Association of Student Nurses (NASN)
Student Nurse Organization (SNO- NIU)
Specialty Organizations and Special Interest Groups
Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN)
American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nursing
Associations (NCEMNA)
Advancing Men in Nursing

Question 11

Barriers to joining professional organizations and taking leadership roles

Answer 11

The realities:
Less than 10% of US nurses belong to the American Nurses Assoc.
Approximately 20% of US nurses belong to specialty organizations
Not understanding the legislative process
Time- career and family commitment
Cost of dues
Lack of interest
Generational differences
Opinion leaders feel that obstacles to nurse involvement are:
Nurses aren’t perceived as important decision makers compared to MD’s
Nursing focus on primary rather than preventive care
Lack a single voice

Question 12

Why nurses don’t become involved

Answer 12

In an informal survey on allnurses.com (2006)
Poll: Why don’t you join (or won’t you renew in) the ANA?
It’s costs too much - 50.91% 84
I don’t agree with the ANA’s political agenda s- 40.00% 66
They don’t represent my level of nursing - 27.88% 46
I belong to specialty nursing organization and that’s enough - 10.30% 17
Other - please state - 6.67% 11 (time, family, interest)
165 Votes / Multiple Choice

Question 13

what professional organizations can do for you

Answer 13

Organizations Offer
leadership opportunity
certification in specialty area of nursing
an avenue for political activism
free or reduced cost continuing education
networking opportunities
free specialty journal access and newsletters
Define practice standards
Develop ethical guidelines
Take official positions on nursing practice issues

Question 14

purposes of organizations

Answer 14

Promote nursing, nursing education, and the nursing workforce
Promote access to safe, quality, healthcare on national or state levels

Question 15

policy issues

Answer 15

Advance Practice Nurses and Durable Medical Equipment
Health care reform- access, costs
Safe patient handling
Safe staffing- ratios, mandatory overtime
Workforce Development
Nursing education- funding, diversity, faculty shortage, and research
Public Health-,Disaster and pandemic planning, and human rights
Advancing the nursing profession

Question 16

Highlights of the Affordable Care Act

Answer 16

Increase access to health care for the uninsured
Mandate for individuals have health insurance and employers to offer health insurance (guidelines)
Require all new and marketplace health care plans to include the 10 essentials
Free preventative care
Cover all young adults till 26 yrs. old
No life-time limits
Require insurance companies to spend 80% of premium charges on medical care and quality of care improvement
No pre-existing condition denials
Exemption- Catastrophic plans ok for those less than 30 yrs. old and with very low incomes
Marketplace insurance for those not eligible for plans through their employer- state or federal exchanges
+ Illinois participates in the federal marketplace
+ Four levels of plans- differ in premiums, out-of- pocket costs and deductibles
What’s in it for Nurses?
Increased access to care for the uninsured
Federal funds to develop the health care workforce (including nursing with an emphasis on primary care providers)
Explore using Medicare funds to support graduate nursing education (similar to graduate medical education)
Measures that promote primary care, prevention, chronic care management, transition care and care coordination
Expansion of services benefit RN’s and APN’s- includes home visitation for high-risk mothers (all nurses),school based health centers (NP’s), and public health support with prevention and wellness focus
Accountable care organizations that replaces fee for service model (Medicare)- nurses will assist to coordinate care, provide preventive interventions, improving self-care.