Sample Answer

2. Scope of Practice:

• Expanding the scope of nursing practice: Nurses can advocate for policies that expand the scope of practice for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), allowing them to practice to the full extent of their education and training. This ¹ includes advocating for full practice authority for APRNs, which would allow them to practice independently without physician oversight.  
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• Improving nurse staffing ratios: Nurses can advocate for safe staffing ratios in hospitals and other healthcare settings to ensure quality patient care and improve nurse job satisfaction.

3. Patient Safety:

• Implementing evidence-based practices: Nurses can advocate for the implementation of evidence-based practices to improve patient safety and reduce medical errors. This includes promoting the use of electronic health records, implementing standardized protocols, and improving communication among healthcare providers.
• Addressing medication safety: Nurses can play a key role in preventing medication errors by advocating for policies that improve medication safety, such as computerized physician order entry (CPOE) systems and barcode medication administration.

4. Public Health:

• Promoting health education and disease prevention: Nurses can advocate for public health initiatives that promote healthy lifestyles, prevent disease, and improve community health. This includes supporting programs such as vaccination campaigns, smoking cessation programs, and health education programs.
• Addressing social determinants of health: Nurses can advocate for policies that address social determinants of health, such as poverty, housing insecurity, and food insecurity, which significantly impact health outcomes.

5. Research and Innovation:

• Conducting and disseminating research: Nurses can conduct and disseminate research on a wide range of healthcare issues, including patient outcomes, quality of care, and healthcare delivery systems.