Political Action Letter, Essay Example

Senator Benjamin L. Cardin

U.S. Senate

509 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Cardin,

As a Montgomery College nursing student envisioning a Nurse Practitioner career path, I strongly believe that you must support the National Nursing Shortage Reform and Patient Advocacy Act of 2010 (S.2031). When enacted, this Bill will finally create a foundation for providing high-quality nursing care and reducing the burden of the nursing shortage issues in the American system of health care.

Nursing shortage has historically been among the principal impediments in the U.S. way to improving the quality of medical care. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing cautions health care stakeholders from announcing an end to the shortage of nurses in America (AACN, 2010). Nursing school enrollment does not meet the existing demand for registered nurses (AACN, 2010). The shortage of nursing faculty members limits nursing schools enrollment opportunities, whereas the average age of registered nurses is increasing (AACN, 2010). High turnover rates, increasing workloads, aging population, and high vacancy rates do not leave an opportunity to improve the quality of nursing care in the U.S. A caring resident of Maryland County, I am confident that only the National Nursing Shortage Reform and Patient Advocacy Act can help to resolve these issues.

The merits of the proposed Bill are difficult to underestimate. Nursing educational assistance grant programs will support nursing students as they are trying to acquire the principal professional skills (Govtracks, 2010). These programs will give us, students, an opportunity to enhance our professional skills and expertise. Living stipends for students and nursing educational assistance will improve the efficiency of nursing education in colleges. The latter will support us in our striving to become qualified nurses and meet the principal goals of high-quality care. The requirements for hospitals to purchase safe patient handling equipment and establish mandatory nurse-to-patient ratios will reduce nursing workloads and raise the quality of nursing care (Govtracks, 2010). Through improved nursing care, the Act will help to reduce health care costs and improve patient outcomes. The Act will let the nurses (a) protect their workplace and individual rights, (b) increase community access to quality nursing care; and (c) raise the cost-efficiency of nursing care in the country.

Nursing shortage is the current issue in need for immediate resolution. I sincerely hope that you will support the National Nursing Shortage Reform and Patient Advocacy Act of 2010 (S.2031). I am sure that you will take your time to consider the benefits and implications of the proposed Act for the future of the nursing care in America. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

[Name]

References

AACN. (2010). Nursing shortage: Fact sheet. American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Retrieved November 1, 2010 from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/media/factsheets/nursingshortage.htm

Govtracks. (2010). S.1031: National Nursing Shortage Reform and Patient Advocacy Act. Govtracks.us. Retrieved November 1, 2010 from http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s111-1031&tab=summary