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Policy Making

Question 1:

I am an active member of the American Nephrology Nurses’ Association (ANNA). Its main purpose is to enhance excellent performance through the advancement of nephrology nursing practice as well as positive influence of outcomes especially for patients suffering from kidney disease. In addition, it plays an integral role in nurturing the skills and enhancing the capacities of member nurses. This is attained through providing high quality services, program and educational products (Lesley, 2004).Currently; I am an active member of this association although I admire the post of the regional vice president. Besides being just a member, I participate actively in mobilization. Further, I also contribute to projects and volunteer programs in different areas. This is vital for enhancement of teamwork as well as networking.

In order to attain this, there is need to undertake continued and progressive professional development. Formal education is particularly essential for enhancing skills, knowledge and experience that is imperative for attaining the highest degree of competitiveness. In this regard, I have plans to advance my education level beyond the masters’ level. This would equip me with sufficient skills and knowledge to perform optimally. In addition, I am taking measures to ensure my full certification. In his review, Ulrich (2006) indicates that such legal measures are essential for one to be given full accreditation with respect to membership. Notably, this marks the first step towards full and active participation in the Association.

Question 2:

One of the health partnerships that can be identified in the community pertains to Arizona State and Mayo Clinic Partnership. The joint partnership seeks to investigate the issue of metabolic syndrome. Specific factors that the partnership addresses include diabetes, stroke, cardiac complications, obesity, high insulin levels and excess body fat (Arizona State, 2009). In order to enhance the quality of output, the project draws upon the efforts of a wide range of medical specialists from both specifications. Nursing groups that would take part in these include the professors from the College of Medicine of University of Arizona’s Department of Basic Medical Services. The challenges that this partnership would face entail lack of sufficient human resources as well as other resources required for effective investigation such as volunteers for practical experiment.

In order to counter the former, Arizona State (2010) ascertains that resources from both institutions would be pooled together and used for the study. Participants would be accorded unlimited access to these resources. This would enhance motivation and ultimate performance of the project. In addition, it is worth mentioning that diversifying the team of participants would enhance the quality of output. This is because of the recognition that the factors under investigation are also diverse and require skills form multiple fields. Finally, the issue of volunteers would be addressed through awareness creation and capacity development. Educating the public about the procedures employed would help curb the relative challenges that stem from misinformation. Put differently, volunteers would participate in the project willingly as they would have been given the relevant and factual information regarding the procedure. Thus decision making would be sustainable and based on informed thought.

References

Arizona State (2009). Arizona State and Mayo Clinic partner to Combat Metabolic Syndrome. Retrieved 16th August, 2010 from: HYPERLINK “http://www.newswise.com/articles/arizona-state-and-mayo-clinic-partner-to-combat-metabolic-syndrome” http://www.newswise.com/articles/arizona-state-and-mayo-clinic-partner-to-combat-metabolic-syndrome

Lesley, P. (2004). Dialysis Access: A Multidisciplinary Approach. Nephrology Nursing Journal, 22, 2.

Ulrich, B. (2006). Professional Development in Nursing. Nephrology Nursing Journal, 5, 3.