Discuss the most pressing health care problems you see in your community (include ethical and social justice issues), and how DNP-prepared nurses through political engagement can impact health care reform.
Participation Requirements
The student must answer the graded discussion with a substantive reply to the graded discussion question(s)/topic(s) posted by the course instructor by Wednesday, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Two scholarly sources references are required unless stated otherwise by your professor.
Remember that a new discussion rubric was approved by the professors, committee members, and a majority of the students. Please review the rubric before posting to ensure a maximum of points.
Here are the categories of the new discussion rubric:
Initial Post relevance to the topic of discussion, applicability, and insight. (20%)
Quality of Written Communication Appropriateness of audience and words choice is specific, purposeful, dynamic, and varied. Grammar, spelling, punctuation. (20%)
Inclusion of DNP essentials explored in the discussion as well as the role-specific competencies as applicable.(10%)
Rigor, currency, and relevance of the scholarly references. (Use articles that are below 5 years). (20%)
Peer & Professor Responses. The number of responses, quality of response posts. (20%)
Timeliness of the initial post and the answers to the peers. (10%)
Discussion: Pressing Health Care Problems in My Community and the Role of DNP-Prepared Nurses in Health Care Reform
Health care disparities are among the most urgent problems in my community, particularly those rooted in limited access to care, chronic disease inequities, and ethical concerns related to social justice. These issues are amplified for historically marginalized populations, including low-income families, racial and ethnic minorities, and uninsured or underinsured adults.
One of the most pressing concerns is the lack of access to primary and preventive health services. Many residents live in medically underserved areas where there are insufficient primary care providers and limited community health resources. This gap contributes to delayed diagnoses, unmanaged chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension, and increased reliance on emergency departments for non-urgent care—a strain on both patients and the health care system (Basch et al., 2022).
Closely related are chronic disease disparities that disproportionately affect vulnerable groups. For example, African American and Hispanic populations in my community have higher rates of diabetes-related complications and cardiovascular conditions compared with White residents. These disparities often reflect structural inequities, such as food insecurity, inadequate housing, unsafe neighborhoods, and barriers to health education and preventive services. Addressing these issues requires not just clinical solutions but systemic policy changes.
From an ethical and social justice standpoint, inequities in health care access and outcomes raise concerns about fairness, autonomy, and justice. Ethical nursing practice demands that all individuals receive equitable care regardless of socioeconomic status, race, or geography. However, implicit bias, resource limitations, and policies that fail to protect vulnerable populations perpetuate disparities. For instance, the ethical principle of justice calls for fair distribution of health resources, yet individuals without insurance or stable employment are less likely to receive essential preventive services, leading to avoidable morbidity and mortality (Beauchamp & Childress, 2019).
DNP-prepared nurses are uniquely positioned to influence health care reform through political engagement and advocacy, given their advanced clinical expertise and leadership competencies. Political engagement by DNPs can address systemic barriers by informing and shaping policy decisions that promote equitable care. For example, DNPs can advocate for Medicaid expansion, increased funding for community health centers, and policies that support workforce diversity and culturally competent care. Their voices at the policy table help ensure that legislation reflects the real needs of patients and communities.
Moreover, DNP-prepared nurses can serve as health policy leaders and educators, guiding interdisciplinary teams to implement evidence-based practices that reduce disparities. By participating in professional nursing organizations, testifying at legislative hearings, and partnering with community stakeholders, DNPs help bridge the gap between clinical practice and policy outcomes. This engagement aligns with DNP essentials, including population health (Essential IV) and health policy, advocacy, and leadership (Essential VII), reinforcing the nurse’s responsibility to influence systems and promote health justice (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2024).
In summary, the most pressing health care challenges in my community are access limitations, chronic disease disparities, and ethical injustices rooted in structural inequities. DNP-prepared nurses, through political engagement and advocacy, can significantly impact health care reform by informing policies that promote equity, increasing access to quality care, and advancing social justice for vulnerable populations.
References (current within 5 years)
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2024). The Essentials: Core competencies for professional nursing education. AACN.
Basch, P., Gold, A., & Luparell, S. (2022). Addressing health disparities: What nurses must know. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 54(4), 532–539. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.12750
Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of biomedical ethics (8th ed.). Oxford University Press.
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