(Disregard prior post as I misunderstood the instructions-- please grade this one, thank you)
Nursing and Policy
According to Nies & McEwen (2015), the delivery of health care, which includes nursing practice, is influenced by policies instituted by private entities and the government. Understanding the development of health policies and their implementation has an impact on nursing practice and the health of our populations. In this discussion, I will review how a school nurse can become more politically involved in the issue of childhood immunization and examine the current legislation related to childhood immunization. I will discuss if I feel any legislation needs to be changed. I will consider how I would convey to my elected representative …show more content…
When children are healthy early in life up to age five, it has been shown that they grow up to be adults that are healthier, better educated, earn more, and contribute to a greater extent to the economy (Slater, 2015). The current legislation related to childhood immunization is that state laws establish the vaccination requirements (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Vaccines and Immunizations, 2015). There are guidelines that determine which vaccines are required for children in public school, private school, or day care, college students, health care professionals, and patients in certain facilities. In all states, it is required that children be vaccinated against certain communicable diseases before attending school or day care. The state is also responsible for establishing exemptions for school vaccine requirements, the exemption application processes, and the indications of an exemption if an outbreak happens. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices reviews yearly the recommended immunization schedules for childhood and adolescence to be sure that everything is current with any changes that may have occurred in vaccine formulas and to ensure revised recommendations are in use (Nies & McEwen,
Nursing and Policy
According to Nies & McEwen (2015), the delivery of health care, which includes nursing practice, is influenced by policies instituted by private entities and the government. Understanding the development of health policies and their implementation has an impact on nursing practice and the health of our populations. In this discussion, I will review how a school nurse can become more politically involved in the issue of childhood immunization and examine the current legislation related to childhood immunization. I will discuss if I feel any legislation needs to be changed. I will consider how I would convey to my elected representative …show more content…
When children are healthy early in life up to age five, it has been shown that they grow up to be adults that are healthier, better educated, earn more, and contribute to a greater extent to the economy (Slater, 2015). The current legislation related to childhood immunization is that state laws establish the vaccination requirements (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Vaccines and Immunizations, 2015). There are guidelines that determine which vaccines are required for children in public school, private school, or day care, college students, health care professionals, and patients in certain facilities. In all states, it is required that children be vaccinated against certain communicable diseases before attending school or day care. The state is also responsible for establishing exemptions for school vaccine requirements, the exemption application processes, and the indications of an exemption if an outbreak happens. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices reviews yearly the recommended immunization schedules for childhood and adolescence to be sure that everything is current with any changes that may have occurred in vaccine formulas and to ensure revised recommendations are in use (Nies & McEwen,