As a nurse, how often have you thought to yourself, If I had anything to do about it, things would work a little differently? Increasingly, nurses are beginning to realize that they do, in fact, have a role and a voice.
Many nurses encounter daily experiences that motivate them to take on an advocacy role in hopes of impacting policies, laws, or regulations that impact healthcare issues of interest. Of course, doing so means entering the less familiar world of policy and politics. While many nurses do not initially feel prepared to operate in this space effectively, the reward is the opportunity to shape and influence future health policy.
To Prepare:
- Select a bill that has been proposed (not one that has been enacted) using the congressional websites provided in the Learning Resources.
The Assignment: (1- to 2-page Comparison Grid; 1-page Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement)
Part 1: Legislation Comparison Grid
Based on the health-related bill (proposed, not enacted) you selected, complete the Legislation Comparison Grid Template. Be sure to address the following:
- Determine the legislative intent of the bill you have reviewed.
- Identify the proponents/opponents of the bill.
- Identify the target populations addressed by the bill.
- Where in the process is the bill currently? Is it in hearings or committees?
Part 2: Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement
Based on the health-related bill you selected, develop a 1-page Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement that addresses the following:
- Advocate a position for the bill you selected and write testimony in support of your position.
- Describe how you would address the opponent to your position. Be specific and provide examples.
Assignment Rubric
Federal and State Legislation
Part 1: Legislation Comparison Grid
Based on the health-related bill you selected, complete the Legislation Comparison Grid Template. Be sure to address the following:
• Determine the legislative intent of the bill you have reviewed.
• Identify the proponents/opponents of the bill.
• Identify the target populations addressed by the bill.
• Where in the process is the bill currently? Is it in hearings or committees?–
Excellent 32 (32%) – 35 (35%)
The response clearly and accurately summarizes in detail the legislative intent of the health-related bill.
The response accurately identifies in detail the proponents and opponents of the health-related bill.
The response accurately identifies in detail the populations targeted by the health-related bill.
The response clearly and thoroughly describes in detail the current status of the health-related bill.
Good 28 (28%) – 31 (31%)
The response accurately summarizes the legislative intent of the health-related bill.
The response accurately identifies the proponents and opponents of the health-related bill.
The response accurately identifies the populations targeted by the health-related bill.
The response accurately describes the current status of the health-related bill.
Fair 25 (25%) – 27 (27%)
The response vaguely or inaccurately summarizes the legislative intent of the health-related bill.
The response vaguely or inaccurately identifies the proponents and opponents of the health-related bill.
The response vaguely or inaccurately identifies the populations targeted by the health-related bill.
The response vaguely or inaccurately describes the current status of the health-related bill.
Poor 0 (0%) – 24 (24%)
Summary of the legislative intent of the health-related bill is vague and inaccurate or is missing.
Identification of the proponents and opponents of the health-related bill are vague and inaccurate or is missing.
Identification of the populations targeted by the health-related bill is vague and inaccurate or is missing.
The description of the current status of the health-related bill is vague and inaccurate or is missing.
Advocating for Legislation
Part 2: Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement
Based on the health-related bill you selected, develop a 1-page Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement that addresses the following:
• Advocate a position for the bill you selected and write testimony in support of your position.
• Describe how you would address the opponent to your position. Be specific and provide examples.–
Excellent 45 (45%) – 50 (50%)
Testimony clearly and thoroughly provides statements that fully justifies a position for a health-related bill.
Response provides a detailed, thorough, and logical explanation of how to address opponents to the position for the health-related bill and includes one or more clear and accurate supporting examples.
A complete, detailed, and specific synthesis of two outside resources is provided. The response fully integrates at least 2 outside resources and 2-3 course specific resources that fully supports the responses provided.
Good 40 (40%) – 44 (44%)
Testimony clearly and accurately provides statements that somewhat justifies a position for a health-related bill.
Response provides an accurate explanation of how to address opponents to the position for the health-related bill and may include at least one supporting example.
An accurate synthesis of at least one outside resource is provided. The response integrates at least 1 outside resource and 2-3 course specific resources that may support the responses provided.
Fair 35 (35%) – 39 (39%)
Testimony used to justify a position for a health-related bill is vague or inaccurate.
Explanation of how to address the opponents to the position for the health-related bill is vague or inaccurate, lacks logic, and/or the supporting examples are vague or inaccurate.
A vague or inaccurate synthesis of outside resources is provided. The response minimally integrates resources that may support the responses provided.
Poor 0 (0%) – 34 (34%)
Testimony used to justify a position for a health-related bill is vague and inaccurate, incomplete, or is missing.
Explanation of how to address the opponents to the position for the health-related bill is vague and inaccurate, or is missing.
A vague and inaccurate synthesis of no outside resources is provided, or is missing. The response fails to integrate any resources to support the responses provided.
The recommendation of an amendment to the bill in support of the position is inaccurate and incomplete, or is missing.
Written Expression and Formatting – Paragraph Development and Organization:
Paragraphs make clear points that support well developed ideas, flow logically, and demonstrate continuity of ideas. Sentences are carefully focused–neither long and rambling nor short and lacking substance. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement and introduction is provided which delineates all required criteria.–
Excellent 5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity.
A clear and comprehensive purpose statement, introduction, and conclusion is provided which delineates all required criteria.
Good 4 (4%) – 4 (4%)
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 80% of the time.
Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment is stated, yet is brief and not descriptive.
Fair 3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 60%- 79% of the time.
Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment is vague or off topic.
Poor 0 (0%) – 3 (3%)
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity < 60% of the time.
No purpose statement, introduction, or conclusion was provided.
Written Expression and Formatting – English writing standards:
Correct grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation–
Excellent 5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Uses correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation with no errors.
Good 4 (4%) – 4 (4%)
Contains a few (1-2) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
Fair 3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)
Contains several (3-4) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
Poor 0 (0%) – 3 (3%)
Contains many (≥ 5) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors that interfere with the reader’s understanding.
Written Expression and Formatting – The paper follows correct APA format for title page, headings, font, spacing, margins, indentations, page numbers, parenthetical/in-text citations, and reference list.–
Excellent 5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Uses correct APA format with no errors.
Good 4 (4%) – 4 (4%)
Contains a few (1-2) APA format errors.
Fair 3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)
Contains several (3-4) APA format errors.
Poor 0 (0%) – 3 (3%)
Contains many (≥ 5) APA format errors.
