Based on the readings, course activities, and your professional experience, write a formal paper about an issue or trend affecting the nursing profession, and thus the healthcare system, that you consider important and urgent. While the issue will be based on your perspectives, the analysis and discussion should be supported by evidence and scholarly data. Paper Sections (use these headings in the paper): • INTRODUCTION: Start with an introduction to the topic by clearly and succinctly stating and defining your concept and focus. Clearly state your rationale for selecting this topic as the most important and who this issue affects. End the introduction by telling the reader what will be discussed in the rest of the paper.
• CONTEXT: Describe how your topic relates to national or global initiatives and standards, such as the Healthy People 2020, Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and the World Health Organization Programmes and Projects.
• NURSING HISTORY: Research nursing’s past contributions to addressing the topic. The time may have been long ago or in the recent past. Search for contributions that may have been made by an individual nurse, small groups of nurses working with fellow nurses or others, or larger nursing communities or associations. Be specific and give examples of how the topic has been addressed historically.
• CONTRIBUTING FACTORS: Explore the contributing factors that make this a continuing problem. Include evidence and examples from related research, current events, personal observations, and professional experience.
• PRACTICE STANDARDS: In the case of the issue or trend you are writing about, what does your state Nurse Practice Act, the ANA Scope and Standards of Practice, and the AHNA Scope and Standards of Holistic Nursing say about how nursing should navigate through this? The guidance may be specific or general. Use citations and give examples.
• ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS: Explore the ethical dilemmas that are faced by nurses related to the issue or trend you are writing about. What does the ANA Code of Ethics and the AHNA Position on Holistic Nursing Ethics say about how nursing should navigate through this?
• QUALITY IMPROVEMENT AND LEADERSHIP: How can nurses and those in leadership positions address the issue or trend to improve the quality of healthcare? What can YOU do to make a positive difference? Be specific and give examples.
• CONCLUSION: End the discussion with a wrap-up of your analysis. This should include restating the topic, reviewing its importance to nursing and healthcare, and offering a view for future nursing efforts and efforts by other healthcare professionals and/or care delivery systems that can improve the issue.
