The Political Process and Nursing Advocacy

Transcription

1 The Political Process and Nursing Advocacy Authors: Judy Pechacek, DNP, RN, CENP VP Patient Care, Chief Nursing Officer Elizabeth C. Rodgers, RN, BSN Doctorate of Nursing Practice Student Health Innovations and Leadership Objectives Upon completion of this presentation, you will be able to: Define political advocacy Identify methods to engage in public policy Describe the steps taken to find your local representatives Describe how to communicate effectively with your local representative The Legislative Process 1

2 How does a bill become a law? Bills are proposals to change laws Referred to as Senate or House Files Any citizen can draft a bill Legislators sponsors bills and present them to the House or Senate Committee to discuss bill Super Short Story of How a Bill Becomes a Law Reference: Minnesota Government Reference: Aging Service of Minnesota (2012) Locate a Bill? MHA website: Bill tracker MN Legislature website: Senate or House Bill search 2

3 Legislative Session 120 days 1 st Tuesday in January through third Saturday of May House and Senate Schedules Length of terms Senators-4 years Represenatives-2 years What creates engagement in Political Advocacy? Personal Belief & Values Build Coalitions Network to local reps Propose a Bill Testify Examples of personal stories motivating advocacy: Child Dies-Peanut Allergy Food Allergy Support Group of Minnesota Epinephrine Statue What is Political Advocacy? Pleading the cause for another Webster, 2013 Nursing political advocacy: Influencing and shaping health care s future Minnesota Organization of Leaders in Nursing (MOLN) describes their role as: Influencing health care policy through collaboration with service, education, and regulation at the local, state and national levels 3

4 What is a Lobbyist An individual paid to influence legislation Legislators rely on lobbyist expert opinion in testifying on a proposed bill Reference: Aging Service of Minnesota (2012) How to be a citizen lobbyist? Locate your Minnesota Legislature Schedules Schedule a meeting with your rep Look up your legislators office phone: MN House MN Senate Citizen Lobbyist Schedule an appointment with your legislator Get to know their legislative assistance Write a letter or Stay tuned for follow up questions Reference: Aging Service of Minnesota (2012) 4

5 Legislative Brief Identify the issue Describe your expertise Personalize your view with a story Summarize the action you are hoping for Succinct letter or discussion topic Issue Brief with 2 supporting EBP articles Reference: Aging Service of Minnesota (2012) Getting Involved MOLN Minnesota Organization of Leaders in Nursing Facilitating the professional development of nursing leaders (MOLN, 2013) Getting Involved MOLN Political Advocacy Legislative Brief Health and Human Services and Finance Committee MN House Reps MN Senate Reps 5

6 Summary Did this presentation provide helpful hint on how to be a political advocate? At the end of this presentation, are you able to: Define political advocacy Identify methods to engage in public policy Have tools to find your local representative Have tools to brief your local representative on your political stance Thank you for your time Please visit mission-historyto find out more about MOLN and the Government Affairs Committee 6

7 Minnesota Organization of Leaders in Nursing Nurses dedicated to shaping the future of health care EXCELLANCE IN STAFFING THE FACTS The state of Minnesota leads the nation in quality outcomes that are attributable to excellent nursing care. The Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ) states that Minnesota has the best overall quality in the nation. According to the Minnesota Hospital Association s most recent adverse health report, hospitalized patients in Minnesota have reported 463 fewer falls, and 158 fewer pressure ulcers. All these outcomes are attributable to nursing care. Patient satisfaction with their care in Minnesota hospitals also is high with 85 percent giving high marks for the quality of care. Sixty eight percent rate Twin-Cities hospitals as among the best in the country. More than 7 of 10 respondents have a favorable image of hospitals, nurses, and doctors (Minnesota Hospital Survey, 2012, Minnesota Hospital Partnership). Minnesota Organization of Leaders in Nursing (MOLN) opposes legislation that forces hospitals to adopt strict staffing ratios which are unsuited to ever-changing patient care needs. We believe that present and future staffing models must be innovative and creative, that staffing is both an art and a science, and that staffing is a dynamic process. Excellence in staffing is a dynamic, evidence-driven process that results in efficient, effective use of qualified staff and the stewardship of resources to achieve the best possible outcomes for patients, their families, the workforce and the organization in which care is delivered ( Douglas, K. 2008). Best practices in staffing require consideration of the complexities of the patient s condition as well as the organizational culture, care models, policies, staff participation, continuous improvement processes, technology, community needs, and innovation. Staffing a hospital requires leveraging the full scope of the professional nursing role as well as the work of all healthcare personnel. MOLN believes that our current strategies effectively assure safe staffing for patients including: Allowing all staff members to practice to the full extent of their education and training. Using care models that support effective use of assistive personal. Empowering charge nurses to adjust staffing levels based on patient needs. Use of assistive technology--such as surveillance, electronic best practice alerts, fall devices and lifting equipment, used with human judgment from highly educated RNs. MOLN s position is supported by other professional organizations. The Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) supports keeping staffing decisions with hospitals and health care professionals. MHA opposing the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA s) one-size-fits-all approach of legislated staffing ratios (MNA represents only 20% of Minnesota s nurses). The American Nurses Association in Principles for Nurse Staffing also emphasizes the need to staff with flexibility, according to the acuity of patients rather than by set numbers. Staffing for patient care is a dynamic situation that no single solution can optimize. MOLN and all Minnesota s Nurse Leaders pledge our support and cooperation to patients, nursing staff, and managers as we work together to self-regulate solutions to our own challenges. MOLN believes taking decision-making about staffing out of the hands of nurse leaders would not improve patient care and would cause more harm than good University Ave W, Ste 350S St. Paul, MN (651) Fax: (651) [email protected]