Group choice:
- Selected group: Emergency Nurses Association
- It is abbreviated as ENA
- The group is an advocacy institution
- ENA focuses on existing emergency laws
- The group promotes safe working environments
The selected group for this discussion is the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA). The interest group conducts research to inform or guide existing policies on emergency nursing. The ultimate goal is to ensure existing policies meet the needs of patients and nurses in emergency care settings (Mason, Leavitt, & Chaffee, 2014).
Background:
- ENA was established in 1970
- The organization is led by aboard.
- Directors from agencies form the board.
- These include IoM and AHRQ
- ENA formed BCEN and CEN.
The interest group was established in 1970 to deal with emerging issues in emergency health settings (Solheim, 2016). The association was established by stakeholders and directors from different agencies. Policymakers and healthcare professionals are encouraged to be part of the group. The organization also supports the Board of Certification in Emergency Nursing (BCEN). This agency supports the Certified Emergency Nurse examination. Its current membership stands at around 42,000 emergency nurses (Solheim, 2016).
Group’s key issues:
- Tracking different health care programs
- Identifying challenges in emergency settings
- Supporting the implementation of policies
- Monitoring effectiveness of such processes
- Supporting different workplace and health policies
The interest group examines the effectiveness of existing programs and related gaps. Research is then done to present adequate models to support or improve them. Patients in need of emergency services are identified in an attempt to allocate resources fairly (Solheim, 2016). The group also seeks to address the challenges facing nurses in emergency care settings.
Interest group’s mission:
- To support emergency care policies.
- To monitor the implementation of programs.
- To identify emerging health gaps.
- To support the needs of nurses
- To publish and present professional guidelines
The group’s current mission is to support programs and policies that can address health problems experienced in different emergency care units. The interest group examines and outlines changes that can improve emergency care (Mason et al., 2014). Emerging health gaps are identified and addressed in an attempt to support the needs of more patients and practitioners.
Legislative agenda:
- Develop guidelines for new policies
- Propose adequate or appropriate policy changes
- Attract and include different stakeholders
- Inform legislations in different departments
- Offer insights for evidence-based programs.
The involvement of policymakers and legislators support the group’s legislative agenda. Guidelines and insights are presented to political and healthcare players to support new programs (Hacker, 2015). Stakeholder participation makes it easier for the group to deliver positive results.
Development of the agenda:
- The agenda emerged in 1970
- Challenges were observed in ICUs
- ENA focuses on new practices
- Different members and stakeholders are involved.
- Group focuses on emergency care policies.
ENA’s agenda has been evolving over the years. The original goal was to address the issues affecting different healthcare facilities (Solheim, 2016). The group has expanded its agenda to identify the health problems affecting nurses and patients, minimize care delivery inequalities, and maximize health outcomes.
Communicating the agenda to members:
- The board coordinates the communication process
- Members attend different meetings frequently.
- Different stakeholders are updated periodically.
- The group appreciates expert opinions.
- Research is undertaken by skilled members.
The association uses meetings and publications to communicate its agenda to members and stakeholders. Updates are presented to different people periodically. Expert opinions are received and considered whenever formulating new policies. Skilled professionals undertake research studies to inform every decision-making process (Mason et al., 2014).
Pushing/promoting agenda:
- Decisions are communicated to policymakers efficiently.
- Gaps in existing policies are identified.
- Potential outcomes are then highlighted.
- Positive benefits of agendas or communications
- Stakeholders participate in the interest group.
The agenda is communicated to the right audience in a systematic manner. This begins by identifying specific recommendations to improve healthcare. Existing gaps and potential changes are communicated to different legislators. Stakeholders, including policymakers, support the agenda promotion process (Mason et al., 2014). Positive outcomes associated with the proposed agenda are defined and communicated accordingly.
Current lobbying efforts:
- The current government has influenced policies
- The group is promoting health programs
- ENA addresses new emergency concerns
- Group also focuses on safety practices
- These include seatbelts and child safety
The interest group is currently analyzing the changes experienced in the healthcare sector. Lobbying efforts have been targeting safety policies to minimize injuries, accidents, and falls (Hacker, 2015). The interest grup publishes findings in different journals. The role of competent emergency practitioners continues to get attention. The important objective is to improve safety and reduce emergency cases.
Key partner coalitions:
- Members of the federal government
- Healthcare professionals, clinicians, and researchers
- Physicians, emergency nurses, and hospital representatives
- Private payers such as employers
- Public groups and social workers
This agency has managed to bring on board a number of participants or partners. For instance, the interest group is characterized by clinicians, researchers, healthcare professionals, and lawmakers (Solheim, 2016). Members of the public and different health institutions are including in the group’s agenda. Physicians and insurance companies are also attracted to come up with adequate recommendations. The ultimate goal is to ensure people live in safe environments and acquire adequate emergency services.
Influencing policies at the local, state, and/or national level:
- The group influences policies locally
- State government members support the processes
- Identified ideas also influence national policies
- People’s needs inform these policies
- Governments consider every policy suggestion
The ultimate objective of the Emergency Nurses Association is to support the needs of every American citizen. This aim explains why the group has been on the frontline to influence policies at the state, national, and local level (Pear, 2017). The group attracts different players from various localities and organizations in order to influence policies that can improve safety, promote care delivery, and support the needs of emergency nurses.
Key obstacles:
- Changes in political leadership influence policies
- Health workforce shortage affects the group
- Lack of adequate funds or resources
- Limited members disorients the group’s effectiveness
- Time constraints affect decision-making procedures
The interest group has managed to influence a number of policies. Some challenges affecting the healthcare sector have been addressed within the past three decades. However, the group has encountered a number of obstacles such as lack of resources, changing political times, and the nature of the country’s emergency and safety policies (Hacker, 2015). Time constraints affect every decision-making initiative.
Spending allocations:
- ENA does not offer direct support
- Guidelines are presented to influence allocations
- Critical conditions are given priority
- Financial resources support ENA’s functions
- Proposals are presented to support populations
The group is not concerned with financial or resource allocations. However, its agenda is to guide the manner in which resources are acquired and used to tackle various emergency health concerns (Pear, 2017). The proposals presented to different policymakers result in better programs to meet the needs of different populations.
References
Hacker, J. S. (2015). Out of balance: Medicare, interest groups, and American politics. Journal of the American Society on Aging, 1(1), 1-7. Web.
Mason, D. J., Leavitt, J. K., & Chaffee, M. W. (2014). Policy and politics in nursing and health (6th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders.
Pear, R. (2017). Congress rejects Trump proposals to cut health research funds. The New York Times. Web.
Solheim, J. (2016). Emergency nursing: The profession, the pathway, the practice (1st ed.). Indianapolis, IN: Sigma Theta Tau.