how does political issues affect nursing?

Fonenurse · Mar 9, 2006

Hello lateen808

In the UK right now it is argued that politics has a huge effect on nursing. The government's modernisation agenda has a huge knock on effect with our pay scales being changed and a performance framework called the 'Knowledge and Skills Framework' being attached to pay. The political 'tweaking' with our service is often a source of consternation for nursing staff as we have to jump through the latest hoops to deliver care to patients.

From what I have read on these forums the situation in the states is similar - maybe different in some ways, but when you have state led salaries and differences, I think driven by politicians then nursing will always be impacted upon by politics - in the UK we also have ethical dilemmas like some HER2 cancer patients not being given Herceptin and other issues - all politically driven - budgets, finance etc.

I think nursing and politics will always go hand in hand...

SmilingBluEyes · Mar 9, 2006

A good study would be to know what legislation is up for vote in your state and at the national level that affects medicine/health care and nursing as a whole. I also recommend people joining their nursing organizations to stay informed and involved. Nursing is VERY much affected by politics and day to day decisions made by people who are often not even nurses. This is evident all around.

And you will see how politics affect nursing in the many threads here at all nurses.com....

If you have time, might do a search.

HERE ARE PRIME EXAMPLES:

https://allnurses.com/forums/f195/ny-state-may-require-nurses-obtain-4-year-degrees-63553.html

https://allnurses.com/forums/f195/nurses-fight-medicare-part-d-woes-143734.html

There now you have a start. Good luck.

pickledpepperRN · Mar 9, 2006

Does your Nurse Practice Act provide that registered nurses have the right as well as the obligation to act as a patient advocate?

Does your state have enforceably protection against retaliation for nurses and others who blow the whistle on unsafe care?

Is safe staffing legislation with ratios as the minimum and staffing by acuity proposed? Passed?

Does your state have a ban on mandatory overtime?

A few ideas to get started.

NurseKevin · Mar 16, 2006

Does your state make you join a union that you want to have no part of?

Do the unions in your state lobby vehemently to cap "corporate contributions" while conviently leaving out that unions are huge politcal spenders, and actively fight anything that would limit "their" big business contributions...

Just a couple more ideas for you.