Unified Nursing Advocacy: Biblical Response

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classmate #1- 460 words, apart style, biblical and scholarly references need be included in reply(Unified Nursing Advocacy: Biblical Response)

Improving LGBTQ Health: Nursing Policy Can Make a Difference” discussed the strategies that can be taken by nursing organizations and individual nurses to address the needs of this minority population. LGBTQ consists of people that identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning/queer. There has also been an addition of inter-sex with a multitude of other identities that comprise this population. Organized advocacy for the LGBTQ population started in the 1950s, however the most prominent event that propelled this movement into the spotlight was the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City. This sparked an outrage in response to discrimination in housing, employment, health care, and other social institutions. The HIV/AIDS epidemic in the early 1980’s was also a pivotal moment for this population, which initially caused a pointing of fingers, but then subsequently gained support for fair treatment. As of today, same-sex marriage is legal in all states within the United States. Despite the increasing social acceptance of homosexuality, the evidence suggests that the LGBTQ population continue to face significant health disparities (Lim & Hsu, 2016).

Nurses were very active in advocating for the HIV/AIDS crisis, which they supported funding, care, and a call to the end to discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS. Despite the many tactics that nurse’s and nursing organizations have undertaken to impact the HIV/AIDS crisis, the profession has been inconsistent with supporting this population’s issues in practice, education, research, and organizational policy (Keepnews, 2011). The most important and initial task of any organization is to develop anti-discrimination policies. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Joint Commission, and Institutes of Medicine have all implemented anti-discrimination initiatives to ensure equal rights for the LGBTQ population.

The impacts of politics on policies in associations, interest groups, and the LGBTQ community is very important. The rights of these individuals were the result of policy formation, support from interest groups and people in the community creating awareness. Decisions that are made in the United States are fueled by politicians and other support groups. We have gone from illegal same-sex marriage to legal same-sex marriage for the United States. This was unheard of in year’s past, so the changes in the world continue to evolve as all people are striving to be created equal.

There are challenges to this advocacy from a Christian perspective because of our beliefs. Our Christian principles and values are more geared towards heterosexual relationships; however, our views are needed in this world today. Participation is imperative to be that voice from a Christian perspective. All nurses should be aware of the biases and stereotypes for this population and ensure that these biases and stereotypes are not interfering with the quality of care for these patients. God has called us to be good stewards and to avoid judgement. You never know when you may have the opportunity to change someone’s life and help them experience the agape love of God. I will continue to apply the same principles to my area of practice, treating others as I would like to be treated (Luke 6:31). When I am working with patients, I am treating a person, not a race or sexual orientation. We are all God’s children and should be treated as such.

References:(Unified Nursing Advocacy: Biblical Response)

Keepnews, D. M. (2011). Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender health issues and nursing:

Moving toward an agenda. ANS. Advances in Nursing Science, 34(2), 163-170. doi:10.1097/ANS.0b013e31821cd61c

Lim, F. A., & Hsu, R. (2016). Nursing students’ attitudes toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, and

transgender persons: An integrative review. Nursing Education Perspectives, 37(3), 144-152. doi:10.1097/01.NEP.0000000000000004

Mason, D. J., Gardner, D. B., Outlaw, F.H., & O’Grady, E. T. (2016). Policy & politics in

nursing and health care (Seventh ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.

classmate #2- 460 words, apart style, biblical and scholarly references need be included in reply(Unified Nursing Advocacy: Biblical Response)

The Taking Action Chapter selected is “The Nursing Community builds a Unified Voice” by Suzanne Miyamoto and Lauren Inouye. The authors open the chapter with a very profound quote, “Advocacy is a dish best served unified” (Mason, et al., 2016, p. 614). It serves to set our expectations very quickly with the clear message that nurses must stand together in order to be heard or to effect change. Regardless of the issue, if only one person takes a stand, very little if anything changes. However, if you bring together a group of likeminded individuals – a coalition – who present in an organized fashion, who present the same message and back it up with the needed evidence, changes are more likely to happen. This chapter gives guidance and suggestions on how nurses should create coalitions, so they can influence public healthcare policies.

Bringing groups together with similar ideas and goals is just one step toward creating coalitions. Most of us understand that the whole is greater than its individual parts. Even though we may not all agree, many groups have similar goals and when the groups come together, they have a better chance influencing an outcome. Once the coalition is formed, it is important to set and communicate goals within the group. Not only does this create a plan of action, but it allows for all members of the group to understand the direction. Most importantly, the group gains credibility so they can move into the competition of policy making.

Nurses are among the most trusted professions in the U. S., and from the time of Florence Nightingale, they have been engaged in the improvement of healthcare conditions (Staebler, et al., 2017). Her legacy continues today as nurses practice advocacy for their patients and healthcare environments daily, which extends “to social injustice and environmental sustainability (Walker, et al., 2015, p. 66). There is much to be done. In fact, all facets of health care, involve policies and the opportunities are almost endless. Regardless of our setting, nurses must advocate for proper levels of staffing, improved work environments, effective education, and recognition. But there are also challenges. Many of us don’t understand the need to be involved, or the importance of bringing the right people together so there is strength in numbers.

We cannot effect change by sitting on the sidelines. We must get involved in some way and on some level. Our Christian worldview requires this – we must be responsible for our fellow human beings, and do whatever is in our power to improve the human condition. “Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.” (2 Corinthians, 13:11, NIV).

Nurses must look to the future and accept responsibility for the outcomes we’d like to see achieved. There is more that I could do, but I’ve always been involved in affecting change in my local hospital. It is the form of advocacy most comfortable to me. However, my plan is to pay closer attention to healthcare issues before the public and make it a point to understand how our representatives think and vote. I can write letters after reviewing my stance on an issue.

References

Mason, D., Garner, D., Outlaw, F., & O’Grady, E. (2016). Policy & Politics in Nursing and Health Care (7th ed.). St. Louis, MO 63043: Elsevier.

Staebler, S., Campbell, J., Cornelius, P., Fallin-Bennett, A., Fry-Bowers, E., Kung, Y., . . . Miller, J. (2017). Policy and political advocacy: Comparison study of nursing faculty to determine current practices, perceptions, and barriers to teaching health policy. Journal of Professional Nursing, 33(5), 350 – 355. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2017.04.001

Walker, D., Barton-Burke, M., Saria, M., Gosselin, T., Ireland, A., Norton, V., & Newton, S. (2015). Everyday advocates: Nursing advocacy is a full time job. American Journal of Nursing, 115(8), 66 – 70. doi:DOI: 10.1097/01.NAJ.0000470409.04919.0f

 

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