Nursing, Health, and the Environment (1995) / Chapter Skim
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Appendix F: Nursing Advocacy at the Policy Level: Strategies and Resources
Appendix F: Nursing Advocacy at the Policy Level: Strategies and Resources
Pages 253-262
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From page 253... ...
In commun~ties affected by toxic waste, nurses might be asked by residents to take sides publicly in partisan debates, answer reporters' questions, and perhaps give expert testimony in court cases. Nurses concerned that their patients' asthma is being worsened by industrial air pollution might decide to lobby for stronger regulation and enforcement of existing air quality standards, or to give technical support to citizens' groups protesting the pollution.
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From page 254... ...
The following example, borrowed in part from Cary (1992) , is a good illustration of how both case advocacy and class advocacy might be used by nurses faced with an environmental health problem: A community health nurse doing immunizations at a homeless shelter encounters a resident with serious environmental health concerns.
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From page 255... ...
255 On a case advocacy level, the nurse might empower client decision-making by providing information and support in the following ways (discussed further in Cary, 1992~: set up an appointment with the mother to explore the situation further and provide support; give her "user friendly" information about causes and care measures for asthma, and answer her questions; get more information about the mother's financial status, legal status as a resident, her relationship with the shelter manager and other residents, and her abilities for decision making and autonomy; -get more information about the shelter environment and the timing and intensity of the children's asthma episodes; based on the information discussed, help the client explore other housing options, make her aware of relevant supports such as legal aid organizations, and assist her in moving toward decision making to solve the problem; provide on-going encouragement as the mother attempts to imnlement her problem-solving plan. In this example, let us say that the mother gains confidence and decides to discuss her concerns with the shelter manager.
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From page 256... ...
An example of locality development would be a rural health nurse working with community residents and local organizations to monitor and safeguard the quality of local well water. A professional practicing this kind of advocacy needs skills in organizing, program development, communications and public speaking, coalition building, and mediation.
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From page 257... ...
An example would be a nurse who concludes that toxic emissions from a local industrial plant pose a danger to residents in a surrounding minority community, and need to be stopped. The nurse's next steps might include contacting appropriate regulatory agencies and persuading them to take urgent action; enlisting the aid of journalists to do an expose on the company's disregard for public health; advising community activists on how best to document the health damage; contacting and enlisting support from other health professionals; helping citizen groups explore legal action against the company; lobbying for stronger public policy on "environmental justice"; speaking at community meetings; and helping to organize rallies and protest demonstrations.
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From page 258... ...
RESOURCES FOR BUILDING ADVOCACY SKILLS At present, policy advocacy for structural change is not emphasized in nursing education, leaving nurses somewhat on their own for exploring strategy options and developing the necessary skills. Fortunately, a great many self-training guides and manuals are available for health and human service professionals interested in advocacy practice related to environmental health issues.
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From page 259... ...
The L.S. Environmental Protechon Agency/ Office of Information Resources Management l~r~~f~ Raso~ras ~)
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From page 262... ...
"Three Models of Community Organization Practice," from the proceedings of the 1968 National Conference on Social Welfare, Social Work Practice 1968. New York: Columbia University Press, 1968.
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