Competence in Policymaking

Nursing Advocacy
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Every voice matters towards achieving a common goal. For a nurse, the voice should be channeled towards ensuring that there is better healthcare provision for all. Advocacy has an important role in nursing. It is the process by which an individual agitates for change in policy to better the services for the concerned parties (Goodman, 2012). For me, advocacy has always been an essential factor in community service. It is, therefore, something that I acquired when I was young through negotiating for better services at school and within my group of friends. Currently, this level of advocacy has matured and evolved into something that can be applied on a national scale. This is especially because of the rigorous training that helps one to discover the need for advocacy in improving healthcare services. Training on advocacy within the coursework also helps in molding the proper ways of carrying out this role (Goodman, 2012). One of the most important aspects of advocacy is that it is more effective if planned appropriately. The following paragraphs explain my role in advocacy.
Locally, the advocacy is mainly used as a form of education. There are many challenges that people continue to face that are completely preventable. This is especially true for minority communities. The primary aim of this level of advocacy is to encourage preventative behavior (Ezeonwu, 2015). These targets the health detrimental trends in that are becoming critical in the local community.

In many parts of the US, obesity, depression, sexually transmitted diseases and other lifestyle diseases are among the most common illnesses affecting the youth. One can achieve change through volunteering in groups that educate the young on the negative impacts of these conditions, the predisposing factors to the diseases and the best course to take towards prevention. Education in these communities also targets to enlighten people on the opportunities available for them (Ezeonwu, 2015). Consequently, it informs people of their rights and what they should do in case one of them is achieved. Through this form of advocacy, more patients seek professional help and therefore healthcare increases. Another important aspect is the discussions that aim at eradicating stigma towards certain conditions such as depression and HIV. This prevents the seclusion of affected individuals which can improve their quality of life significantly. It also encourages more people to seek medical attention and psychosocial support if they suffer from these conditions.
At the national levels, advocacy is done through participating in activism and attempting to communicate directly with the legislative arm of the government (“Nursing advocacy”, 2018). Activism is achieved through the societies that I have registered membership. Taking part in producing publications that publish resolves on a certain issue and therefore help the public to make a better decision is important. The activism also includes participating in peaceful picketing so as to bring issues of national concern to the forefront of a political mandate. To ensure that the mandate is understood, advocacy is enhanced by communicating directly to the congressional leaders. This is done by sending letters, emails and even calling their offices. Using this method is important especially in writing because it helps one to expand on their point of view. It can also allow a person to create a mini-policy for consideration. This improves the likelihood that a policy will be successfully implemented. This entire advocacy is done strictly within the maxims of nursing ethics and values. It especially avoids in circumstances of damage to life and property and protects the privacy of others (Scott, 2017).

References
Ezeonwu, M. (2015). Community Health Nursing Advocacy: A Concept Analysis. Journal Of Community Health Nursing, 32(2), 115-128. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07370016.2015.1024547
Goodman, T. (2012). Advocacy. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc.
Nursing advocacy. (2018). ANA. Retrieved 20 April 2018, from https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/advocacy/
Scott, P. (2017). Key concepts and issues in nursing ethics. Springer.