WEEK 11 Describe three political actions nurses could take to strengthen their role in policymaking as it relates to advocacy for improving LGBTQ health. Correlate your discussion to the AACN MSN Essentials, identify one that most pertains to this topic and elaborate on your selection. Attached below is additional information regarding providing adequate care for the LGBTQ community as outlined by Joint Commission and the CDC: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health: 0
Political actions are essential for nurses to strengthen their role in policymaking and advocate for improving LGBTQ health. By engaging in policy-related activities, nurses can play a crucial role in shaping the healthcare landscape for the LGBTQ community. This essay will discuss three political actions that nurses can take to enhance their role in policymaking and advocate for LGBTQ health. Additionally, it will correlate the discussion to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Master’s Essentials and identify one essential that is particularly relevant to this topic.
One political action nurses can take is to actively engage in lobbying efforts. Lobbying involves advocating for specific policies or legislation that promote LGBTQ health and wellbeing. Nurses can join professional nursing organizations, such as the American Nurses Association (ANA) or the LGBTQ Nurses Association, which actively engage in lobbying activities. These organizations provide nurses with resources, training, and opportunities to speak to legislators and policymakers about issues related to LGBTQ health. By participating in lobbying efforts, nurses can use their expertise and experiences to influence policymakers and shape policies that address the unique healthcare needs of the LGBTQ community.
Another political action nurses can take is to become involved in grassroots advocacy. Grassroots advocacy involves mobilizing communities and individuals to advocate for policy change at the local level. Nurses can organize educational events, participate in public forums, and collaborate with community organizations to raise awareness about LGBTQ health disparities and the need for policy reforms. Through grassroots advocacy, nurses can build relationships with community members and policymakers, gather support for policy changes, and create a groundswell of change in their local communities.
Furthermore, nurses can engage in research and evidence-based policymaking. Research plays a crucial role in influencing policy decisions, and nurses can contribute by conducting studies on LGBTQ health disparities, healthcare access, and health outcomes. Nurses can collaborate with academic institutions, healthcare organizations, and LGBTQ organizations to conduct research that fills gaps in knowledge and informs evidence-based policymaking. By generating robust evidence, nurses can provide policymakers with the data and insights needed to develop policies that effectively address LGBTQ health inequalities.
When correlating these actions to the AACN MSN Essentials, Essential VII: Clinical Prevention and Population Health, is particularly relevant to this topic. This essential focuses on the role of the advanced practice nurse in promoting health and preventing disease within diverse populations. By engaging in the political actions discussed above, nurses can actively contribute to the promotion of LGBTQ health and the prevention of health disparities within this specific population.
Engaging in lobbying efforts aligns with Essential VII because it involves advocating for policies that promote the health and wellbeing of the LGBTQ population. Lobbying for policies that address healthcare access, nondiscrimination, and cultural competence can significantly impact the health outcomes of LGBTQ individuals. By actively participating in lobbying efforts, nurses can leverage their expertise in population health to advocate for evidence-based policies that contribute to the prevention of LGBTQ health disparities.
Grassroots advocacy also aligns with Essential VII as it involves mobilizing communities and individuals to promote health. By organizing educational events and raising awareness about LGBTQ health disparities, nurses can empower community members to take action and advocate for policy changes. Grassroots advocacy plays a crucial role in promoting population health and preventing disease, as it focuses on addressing the social determinants that impact the health outcomes of the LGBTQ community.
Additionally, research and evidence-based policymaking align with Essential VII because they contribute to the promotion of health and prevention of disease through data-driven decision-making. By conducting research on LGBTQ health disparities and healthcare access, nurses can generate evidence that informs policy initiatives. This evidence-based approach to policymaking ensures that policies are rooted in scientific evidence and have the potential to improve the health outcomes of the LGBTQ population.
In conclusion, nurses have a critical role to play in advocating for and improving LGBTQ health through political actions. By actively engaging in lobbying efforts, grassroots advocacy, and research, nurses can strengthen their role in policymaking and shape policies that address the unique healthcare needs of the LGBTQ community. The AACN MSN Essential VII: Clinical Prevention and Population Health is particularly relevant to this topic as it emphasizes the role of the advanced practice nurse in promoting health and preventing disease within diverse populations, including the LGBTQ population.