Advocacy Issues in Nursing & Healthcare Leadership

The nurse practitioner role was first established in 1965 in Colorado to address the shortage of primary care providers. Since then, this advanced nursing role has expanded nationwide, encompassing not just primary care but specializations such as midwifery and anesthesia. As the scope and number of nurse practitioners have grown, so has the public’s awareness of these skilled healthcare providers.

Due to the aging Baby Boomer population, the need for LPNs is greater today than ever. LPNs are more affordable for medical facilities and are an important aspect of the interdisciplinary team.

Technology integration is vital in improving patient outcomes as the healthcare industry evolves. Artificial intelligence (AI) is quickly becoming integrated into the healthcare industry today. Applications vary from facilitating administrative tasks to improving patient care by offering accurate, predictive analytics. AI has provided new opportunities to enhance patient care and health outcomes in nursing.

A preceptor is an experienced licensed nurse who supervises and teaches nursing students during their clinical rotations or new graduate nurses during orientation. These preceptors have several years of experience and are active employees in the healthcare setting and not direct employees of the school or university.

The healthcare industry increasingly recognizes the need for diversity, inclusion, and health equity. Physicians face a unique challenge when addressing health disparities among diverse patient populations. To better understand how to create an inclusive environment in healthcare settings, examining the current state of diversity, inclusion, and health disparities is necessary.

There are over 19 million veterans in the United States. Their health needs are largely met by the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which houses the largest integrated healthcare system in the country. Today’s nurses and nurse practitioners (NPs) are important in caring for our nation’s veterans. But more can be done to serve those who have served.

More than 30 percent of adults and 12 percent of children use alternative or complementary treatments. Such treatments generally fall into three categories: nutritional, psychological, or physical interventions.

A medication shortage is when the projected demand for a certain drug exceeds its supply. Local shortages are common, taking place at a single pharmacy or hospital, and can be resolved relatively easily. National shortages are comparatively rarer, but they do exist, and they can take much longer to resolve.

In June 2022, the US Supreme Court issued a ruling that shook the nation and took away women’s right to privacy in reproductive decisions. The Dobs v. Jackson verdict overturned the long-standing Roe v Wade decision that granted this autonomy to women across the country.

Abuse of nurses and ARPNs is a real, relevant, and widespread problem. The abuse can range from acts of minor bullying and incivility all the way to assault and physical violence.