This assessment requires you to describe the legislative process and the role of the nurse as a healthcare
policy advocate. Your paper will consist of two parts:
Part 1:
A clear and complete discussion of the legislative process
Part 2:
You will choose one of the political issues listed in Burkhardt & Nathaniel on pages 392-393
Tie that political issue to current legislation being debated in your own state’s house or senate (OHIO)
Describe both sides of that issue – for and against – clearly and thoroughly
Explain your own position, and explain why using research-based fact, not just your own opinion.
Make sure you also include a clear, separate introduction and conclusion as a part of this assignment, as
these are worth separate points on the grading rubric.
NOTE: Please avoid the following topics, as these do not demonstrate research into current legislation in
health care and are more “hot button” issues that do not often result in a strong paper:
Abortion
Staffing ratios/mandatory overtime
Physician assisted suicideReferences
Minimum of four (4) total references: two (2) references from required course materials and two (2) peerreviewed references. All references must be no older than five years (unless making a specific point using
a seminal piece of information)
Peer-reviewed references include references from professional data bases such as PubMed or CINHAL
applicable to population and practice area, along with evidence based clinical practice guidelines.
Examples of unacceptable references are Wikipedia, UpToDate, Epocrates, Medscape, WebMD, hospital
organizations, insurance recommendations, & secondary clinical databases.
Required Resources
Textbooks:
Nursing: Scope and Standards of Clinical Nursing Practice 3rd edition
Ethics and Issues in Contemporary Nursing 4th edition