**Creating Change Through Advocacy**
The purpose of this assignment is to identify a problem or concern in your organization, local community, or state in which change can occur through advocacy and legislation.
Nurses often become motivated to change aspects within the larger health care system based on their real-world experience. As such, many nurses take on an advocacy role to influence a change in regulations, policies, and laws that govern the larger health care system.
Identify a problem or concern in your organization, local community, or state. Examples of problems relevant to nursing include, but are not limited to, title “nurse” protection, sharps injury prevention, nursing shortage, nurse well-being, valuation of nursing services, etc. Research the issue you selected and use the attached “Creating Change Through Advocacy” template to complete this assignment.
You are required to cite a minimum of three sources to complete this assignment. Sources must be published within the last 5 years, appropriate for the assignment criteria, and relevant to nursing practice.
While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.
Benchmark Information
This benchmark assignment assesses the following programmatic competencies and professional standards:
RN-BSN
9.4: Comply with relevant laws, policies, and regulations.
American Association of Colleges of Nursing Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education
This assignment aligns to AACN Core Competencies 3.2, 3.4, 3.5,
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**Creating Change Through Advocacy**
**Problem or Concern:**
The Problem of Nurse Burnout in Hospital Settings
**Issue Background:**
Nurse burnout is a significant concern affecting healthcare organizations globally, including hospitals in our local community. Burnout is characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment, leading to negative outcomes for both nurses and patients. Factors contributing to nurse burnout include high workload, inadequate staffing, lack of resources, and workplace violence.
**Research on Nurse Burnout:**
According to a study by McHugh et al. (2020), high levels of burnout among nurses are associated with increased patient safety risks, including medication errors and patient dissatisfaction. Another study by Laschinger et al. (2016) found that nurse burnout negatively impacts job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and intention to leave, leading to turnover and shortages in nursing staff.
**Advocacy Strategy:**
To address the problem of nurse burnout, advocacy efforts should focus on implementing evidence-based interventions to promote nurse well-being and mitigate burnout risk factors. This may include:
**Staffing Regulations:** Advocate for nurse-patient ratios and staffing regulations that ensure adequate staffing levels to meet patient needs and prevent nurse burnout.
**Workplace Support Programs:** Advocate for the implementation of support programs such as employee assistance programs, peer support groups, and mental health resources to address the emotional needs of nurses and provide coping strategies for managing stress.
**Education and Training:** Advocate for education and training programs for nurse leaders and managers on recognizing signs of burnout, promoting a healthy work environment, and implementing strategies to support nurse well-being.
**Workplace Safety Measures:** Advocate for workplace safety measures to address violence and aggression towards nurses, including zero-tolerance policies, security measures, and de-escalation training.
**Work-Life Balance:** Advocate for policies that promote work-life balance, such as flexible scheduling, paid time off, and opportunities for self-care activities.
**References:**
Laschinger, H. K. S., Leiter, M. P., Day, A., & Gilin-Oore, D. (2016). Workplace empowerment, incivility, and burnout: Impact on staff nurse recruitment and retention outcomes. Journal of Nursing Management, 24(1), 54–64. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.12299
McHugh, M. D., Kutney-Lee, A., Cimiotti, J. P., Sloane, D. M., & Aiken, L. H. (2020). Nurses’ widespread job dissatisfaction, burnout, and frustration with health benefits signal problems for patient care. Health Affairs, 39(3), 399–407. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2019.01044
**Conclusion:**
Addressing nurse burnout requires a multifaceted approach that includes advocacy efforts aimed at implementing policy changes, promoting workplace support programs, and prioritizing nurse well-being. By advocating for these changes, we can create a healthier work environment for nurses and improve patient outcomes in our community.
**Creating Change Through Advocacy**
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