Risk Management
Nurses’ expertise and empathy are valued in the health care setting. As nurses, we should ensure that we each contribute to advancing the nursing profession through health policies that will improve health care. In this course, you will have the opportunity to learn how you can become a grassroots nurse advocate by acting and speaking as one collective voice. Follow the steps outlined below to write a letter to your Congressperson or Senator to express your view on an issue in nursing that is negatively or will negatively impact health care. Address the following in about 4 paragraphs to include: (See Rubric and attached template on how to format letter)
1. Introduce yourself; state the issue that you will address in the letter that is causing the problem
2. Your opinion on this issue. Why is your issue important for you as a registered nurse; research about the issue to support your argument;
3. Restate your purpose for writing the letter. Ask the Congressman/Senator to help to take action to address the issue.
4. Ensure that you thank the Congressman/Senator
Look up Florida Congressman to get a name to use.
Template Letter to a Legislator
Senator (Insert name of senator) Senate Bldg Room # City, State, Zip code
Dear Senator (NAME),
My name is (insert name). I am an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) in (state/jurisdiction). I am writing to request your support for (bill #). This legislation will assist our jurisdiction in meeting the new national standards for APRNs outlined in the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation (which can be accessed by visiting www.ncsbn.org/aprn.htm). These standards were written by representatives of 48 different APRN groups and are supported by the APRNs in our jurisdiction. The purpose of these standards is to ensure that APRNs in every U.S. jurisdiction meet the same qualifications and are able to perform the same functions. This will ensure that the citizens of (state/jurisdiction) receive the safe competent care that APRNs can provide. In addition, these standards will increase mobility of APRNs and may provide increased access to health care overall.
APRNs include certified nurse practitioners (CNPs), certified nurse midwives (CNMs), certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) and clinical nurse specialists (CNSs). APRNs are a highly valued and integral part of the health care system. They have the necessary knowledge and skills to care for patients in the absence of any other providers and can tremendously improve access to health care in rural areas of the jurisdiction. (If possible, add some jurisdiction specific information for your legislator here.)
Passage of (bill name) provides for the adoption of language which will: Plug in bullet points as they apply to your bill; revise and edit as needed for your specific situation.
� Ensure public safety by requiring advanced practice registered nurses to be licensed as APRNs. Currently, our jurisdiction does not require this. This would be in addition to the registered nurse (RN) license and is a recommendation in the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation. Both licenses would be regulated by the jurisdiction’s board of nursing.
� Establish graduate level nursing education as the minimum level of academic requirement for APRN licensure. Graduate level education requires advanced courses in many areas, including pharmacology, as well as extensive clinical practice hours, in order to earn the graduate degree.
� Ensure that all APRNs have met the requirements for advanced education from an accredited graduate program. The bill requires all APRN education programs to undergo a board of nursing approval process and be accredited by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Accreditation.
� Require professional certification for APRN licensure. Graduates of nursing programs are required to take and pass a certification examination in their area of APRN specialty. This exam helps establish entry-level competency. APRNs are held to professional standards established by the certifying body, in addition to the jurisdiction’s nurse practice act.
� Improve the public’s understanding of who is providing their care. Currently, different jurisdictions refer to APRNs by different titles. In (state/jurisdiction) we currently use the title (insert title used in jurisdiction-such as APN). This can cause confusion if patients have moved from another jurisdiction where APRNs have a different title. The goal is for the title “advanced practice registered nurse (APRN)” to be adopted by every jurisdiction to provide an easily recognized professional designation in all jurisdictions. APRNs will be required to legally represent themselves as APRNs, followed by their specialty role (CNP, CNM, CRNA or CNS). For example, the legal title/signature for a nurse practitioner would read: Barbara Smith, APRN, CNP.
� Allow APRNs to practice independently. Current jurisdiction law requires APRNs (insert requirement, such as signing collaborative practice agreements with a physician or have physician supervision) in order to practice. Numerous studies published over the past 30 years have shown that APRNs provide safe, high quality care without physician oversight.
I ask you to support (bill name) to improve the provision of health care to the citizens of (state/jurisdiction). Please contact me with any additional questions you may have.
Respectfully Yours,
Your name Your legal title Your contact information
