Nursing and Policy
The foundation of the United States of America stems from democracy. Legislation ascends from the voices of American citizens who are politically active. Nurses across the nation are three million strong and play an influential role in being patient advocates, change agents, and policy makers (Nies & McEwen, 2015). Nurses are valued and distinguished; hence nurses can serve as consultants in shaping healthcare policy. Nurses have an opportunity to be politically active on different levels, such as local, state, or national, and can collaborate with other groups to lobby for health care issues. This paper will address ways to become politically active, current legislation related to childhood immunizations, approaches …show more content…
The state laws mandate proof of vaccine records prior to enrolling a child in a school. Due to this legislation, many fatal diseases that were once common, plaguing communities across the nation are now under control and rarely cause an issue. According to Nies and McEwen (2015), a committee reviews the childhood and adolescent immunization schedule on an annual basis in order to safeguard the vaccinations. In addition, only the federal government body stipulates written recommendations for the standard dispensation of vaccines for children in the civilian population (Nies & McEwen, 2015). It is of utmost importance to be proactive in vaccinating children to deter and contain an epidemic outbreak in eradicated diseases in the …show more content…
Nurses can become politically active and become a champion for change. Current childhood immunization legislation protects numerous children and communities from the spread of debilitating diseases. Proposition of mandatory vaccination requirements for all children would protect lives and shield against eradicated diseases. Childhood immunization affairs are conducted at the state level. Communicating with elected officials is key in introducing change in childhood immunizations. Together, nurses are a force to command change in health care policy to benefit communities across the
The foundation of the United States of America stems from democracy. Legislation ascends from the voices of American citizens who are politically active. Nurses across the nation are three million strong and play an influential role in being patient advocates, change agents, and policy makers (Nies & McEwen, 2015). Nurses are valued and distinguished; hence nurses can serve as consultants in shaping healthcare policy. Nurses have an opportunity to be politically active on different levels, such as local, state, or national, and can collaborate with other groups to lobby for health care issues. This paper will address ways to become politically active, current legislation related to childhood immunizations, approaches …show more content…
The state laws mandate proof of vaccine records prior to enrolling a child in a school. Due to this legislation, many fatal diseases that were once common, plaguing communities across the nation are now under control and rarely cause an issue. According to Nies and McEwen (2015), a committee reviews the childhood and adolescent immunization schedule on an annual basis in order to safeguard the vaccinations. In addition, only the federal government body stipulates written recommendations for the standard dispensation of vaccines for children in the civilian population (Nies & McEwen, 2015). It is of utmost importance to be proactive in vaccinating children to deter and contain an epidemic outbreak in eradicated diseases in the …show more content…
Nurses can become politically active and become a champion for change. Current childhood immunization legislation protects numerous children and communities from the spread of debilitating diseases. Proposition of mandatory vaccination requirements for all children would protect lives and shield against eradicated diseases. Childhood immunization affairs are conducted at the state level. Communicating with elected officials is key in introducing change in childhood immunizations. Together, nurses are a force to command change in health care policy to benefit communities across the