Identify a problem or concern in your organization, local community, or state in which change can occur through advocacy and legislation.
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.
I've identified several significant healthcare challenges in Kisumu and Kenya. These include high rates of malnutrition, persistent infectious diseases like malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis, and prevalent waterborne diseases due to sanitation issues. Additionally, air pollution is a notable health risk. Beyond specific diseases, I've observed systemic weaknesses in healthcare delivery, such as underfunding, poor coordination between national and county governments, and issues with procurement and project management, all of which lead to delays and inefficiencies for patients and healthcare workers.
Focusing on Nursing Workforce Issues
Synthesizing the initial findings, I'm narrowing my focus to challenges within the nursing profession, particularly the nursing shortage and the underutilization of Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs). These issues are directly linked to broader problems like nurse well-being and the valuation of nursing services, and they significantly impact the quality and accessibility of healthcare. The current lack of clear guidelines and integration for APNs in Kenya presents a clear opportunity for advocacy and legislative change.
Next Research Steps
My immediate next steps involve a deeper investigation into the nursing shortage in Kenya, including its root causes and impact. I also plan to thoroughly examine the current status and challenges surrounding the APN role, looking for specific policy and regulatory gaps. I will also analyze existing legislation related to nursing and explore past advocacy efforts by nursing organizations to inform potential legislative solutions.
Researching websites
Identifying a Healthcare Challenge
I'm starting to research healthcare challenges in Kisumu, Kenya, to identify a specific problem that nurses can address through advocacy and legislation. My goal is to find an issue where legislative change can make a real difference.
Research Approach
I'll be looking for information on prevalent healthcare and public health concerns in Kisumu, Kisumu County, and Kenya, specifically focusing on how these issues impact nursing and healthcare delivery. I'll prioritize reliable sources such as government health ministries, the WHO, academic institutions, and established non-governmental organizations.
Next Steps
My next step is to conduct broad research to pinpoint a suitable problem. Once identified, I will delve deeper into its current status, existing legislation, past advocacy efforts, potential legislative changes, and key stakeholders involved.