ABSTRACT
Nurses are increasingly encouraged to be active participants in health policy. This article provides an exemplar of how nurse practitioners (NPs) in one state, North Dakota, used strategic policy actions to obtain independent prescriptive privileges. Consistent and clear communication among NPs and with key stakeholders, including legislators, contributed to a positive policy outcome. North Dakota nurse leaders in this initiative have shared their experiences with a variety of audiences including other state boards of nursing and NP organizations in states such as New York, South Dakota, and Louisiana. In addition, a webinar sponsored by the Center to Champion Nursing in America at AARP featured several of the North Dakota NP leaders, who shared their reflections of this experience and the strategies they used. Regulatory environments and public policies will continue to significantly influence the future of all nurses. This case study of one state can be useful to NPs and other nurses seeking meaningful policy change through laws or regulations with regard to scope of practice or other health policy issues.
Subject(s)
Health Policy/legislation & jurisprudence , Nurse Practitioners/organization & administration , Nursing Assessment/legislation & jurisprudence , Prescription Drugs/administration & dosage , Professional Autonomy , Consensus , Female , Humans , Male , North Dakota , Nurse Clinicians/organization & administration , Nurse's Role , Policy Making , Societies, NursingABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To inform the nurse practitioner of the common causes of chronic cough, to educate how each cause can be identified, and to suggest treatment options for the most common causes. DATA SOURCE: Selected research and review articles from professional journals. CONCLUSION: Chronic cough is a common presenting complaint in the primary care setting. Although at first the symptom may seem simple, the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic cough can be challenging. Furthermore, without proper identification of the cause, effective treatment most likely will not be obtained. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: By familiarizing oneself with this topic, nurse practitioners will feel confident in treating chronic cough.