NR 451 Week 4 Discussion: Advocacy and Cultural Competence

Student Name

Chamberlain University

NR-451: RN Capstone Course

Prof. Name

Date

Week 4 Discussion: Advocacy and Cultural Competence

Using the CLAS Standards in Nursing Practice

The National Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) Standards are essential for guiding healthcare organizations in promoting equity, quality, and inclusivity. These standards are designed to reduce disparities in healthcare by ensuring that providers and institutions consistently deliver culturally and linguistically sensitive care (Think Cultural Health, 2019). Their central mission is to create systems of care that recognize cultural differences, address inequities, and ultimately enhance health outcomes.

In my professional practice, my colleagues and I apply the CLAS standards to ensure patients receive care that is both respectful and personalized. We begin by acknowledging the cultural diversity of the communities we serve. This involves taking into account each patient’s background, beliefs, and traditions, and ensuring that these factors are not overlooked in the care process. For example, in cases where certain medical interventions may not align with cultural or religious beliefs, we strive to find alternatives that respect those values while still meeting clinical needs.

Furthermore, our organization emphasizes ongoing training to improve cultural awareness. These training sessions allow us to develop better communication strategies, adapt to patients’ linguistic needs, and improve health literacy among diverse populations. Such measures align with the CLAS principle of delivering care that is effective, equitable, understandable, and responsive to the diverse needs of patients (Think Cultural Health, 2019).

The Nursing Action to Improve Cultural Competence

One key step I plan to take in advancing cultural competence is advocating for a more diverse healthcare workforce. According to the third CLAS standard, having staff members who reflect the demographics of the population served is essential for delivering culturally relevant care (Think Cultural Health, 2019). A workforce that mirrors patient diversity helps ensure that cultural nuances are understood and respected during care delivery.

By supporting policies that recruit and retain staff from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds, healthcare organizations can bridge communication gaps, strengthen patient-provider relationships, and improve trust in the healthcare system. As Barksdale et al. (2016) point out, creating a culturally diverse leadership and workforce is not only a matter of fairness but also a practical necessity for eliminating health disparities. This approach ensures patients feel represented and valued, leading to better adherence to treatment plans and more positive health outcomes.

Summary of Key Points

References

Barksdale, C., Rodick, W., Hopson, R., Kenyon, J., Green, K., & Jacobs, C. (2016). Literature review of the National CLAS Standards: Policy and practical implications in reducing health disparities. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 4(4), 632–647. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-016-0270-y

Think Cultural Health. (2019). The National Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services Standards (CLAS). U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://thinkculturalhealth.hhs.gov/clas/standard

e legislation supports grants to nursing facilities to facilitate virtual visits for residents. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is responsible for guiding the use of grants, while the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ensures broadband and telecommunications access, reducing barriers to virtual care.

Impact of Bill on Professional Nursing Practice Standards – If Passed

If enacted, the bill would substantially transform nursing practice by:

• Providing emergency funding for telehealth adoption.

• Expanding patient access to virtual visits.

• Increasing staff training opportunities in digital health.

• Encouraging collaboration across care teams.

• Reducing risks of infection transmission by limiting in-person contact.

• Enhancing continuity of care for patients with chronic illnesses.

Telehealth integration would empower nurses to deliver quality care remotely, resulting in earlier diagnoses, better chronic disease management, and reduced costs. Furthermore, the adoption of telenursing allows nurses to monitor patients from diverse locations, ensuring equitable access and improved satisfaction.

Impact of Bill on Professional Nursing Practice Standards – If Not Passed

Failure to enact the ACCESS Act could have negative implications for nursing and patient care. These include:

The absence of telehealth services may widen healthcare disparities, particularly for older adults and rural populations.

Impact of Bill on My Nursing Practice

For my personal nursing practice, the ACCESS Act would have several benefits:

• Reduced exposure to infections during pandemics.

• Improved opportunities for team collaboration.

• Enhanced real-time monitoring of patients.

• Streamlined prescription and follow-up services.

• Ability to provide care remotely, ensuring continuity during emergencies.

With telehealth advancements, nurses can engage in preventive care, foster stronger nurse-patient relationships, and maintain high-quality care while minimizing unnecessary hospital visits.

Communication Strategies for Legislators

Effective communication with policymakers is crucial to secure support for the ACCESS Act. Recommended strategies include:

• Establishing clear agendas and evidence-based goals.

• Submitting a policy proposal letter backed by research and statistics.

• Requesting scheduled meetings with legislators.

• Using assertive communication to highlight risks if the bill is not passed.

• Presenting both advantages and challenges of the bill.

• Conducting follow-up communication to reinforce advocacy.

These approaches strengthen the case for passing the legislation by linking evidence to real-world healthcare needs.

Communication Strategies for Peers

When discussing the bill with colleagues, the following strategies can be effective:

• Evaluating telehealth’s impact on quality, equity, and satisfaction.

• Presenting case studies demonstrating the effectiveness of telehealth.

• Encouraging peer-led discussions on shared challenges.

• Creating an environment for inclusive dialogue.

• Promoting knowledge-sharing platforms within nursing teams.

By engaging peers, nurses can collectively advocate for legislative changes that advance patient-centered care.

Some Concerns

While telehealth offers significant advantages, it also presents challenges.

Mitigating these risks requires strong compliance frameworks, investment in security systems, and structured training programs for nurses.

Impact of Bill on Community

If enacted, the bill could positively transform community healthcare by:

• Promoting culturally competent care.

• Strengthening trust between healthcare providers and patients.

• Expanding access in rural and underserved areas.

• Enabling telepharmacy and home monitoring services.

• Supporting vulnerable populations during crises.

Telehealth ensures continuity of care while reducing inequities in healthcare access, thus contributing to overall public health improvement.

References

AlDossary, S., Martin-Khan, M., Bradford, N., Armfield, N., & Smith, A. (2017). The development of a telemedicine planning framework based on needs assessment. Journal of Medical Systems, 41(5). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-017-0709-4

GovTrack.us. (2021). H.R. 596 — 117th Congress: ACCESS Act. https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/117/hr596

Harris, K., Sithole, A., & Kibirige, J. (2017). A needs assessment for the adoption of next generation science standards (NGSS) in K-12 education in the United States. Journal of Education and Training Studies, 5(9), 54. https://doi.org/10.11114/jets.v5i9.2576

Hsieh, P. (2016). An empirical investigation of patients’ acceptance and resistance toward the health cloud: The dual factor perspective. Computers in Human Behavior, 63, 959–969. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.06.029

Keenan, J., Rahman, R., & Hudson, J. (2021). Exploring the acceptance of telehealth within palliative care: A self-determination theory perspective. Health and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12553-021-00535-9

Mars, M. (2020). Medicolegal, ethical, and regulatory guidelines pertaining to telehealth. In Fundamentals of Telemedicine and Telehealth (pp. 297–303). https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-814309-4.00013-6

Mason, M. (2020). Updates on current federal telehealth legislation – National Health Council. National Health Council. https://nationalhealthcouncil.org/blog/updates-on-current-federal-telehealth-legislation/

NR 451 Week 4 Discussion: Advocacy and Cultural Competence

Morrison, L. (2020). Assessing part-time nursing faculty needs: A needs assessment for a quality improvement project. Teaching and Learning in Nursing, 15(1), 42–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teln.2019.08.011

Nigam, S. (2018). Telehealth and telemedicine: Clinical and regulatory issues. Telehealth and Medicine Today, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.30953/tmt.v1.69

Paradis, M., Atkinson, K., Hui, C., Ponka, D., Manuel, D., & Day, P. et al. (2018). Immunization and technology among newcomers: A needs assessment survey for a vaccine-tracking app. Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 14(7), 1660–1664. https://doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2018.1445449