Relationships Between Nursing, Health, and the Policy Processes - Article Example

Relationships between nursing, health, and the policy processes Relationships between nursing, health, and the policy processes Case study Several health policies affect the nursing process especially during abortion. The case study involves a woman who wanted to have an abortion in a health care unit after she conceived from a rape ordeal. However, the nurses in the hospital refused to support her because the process appeared unethical. Additionally, the nurses claimed that it was difficult for them to conduct abortion because the woman’s health was in danger.

The woman claimed that she would sue the nurses for not supporting her because it was her right to have an abortion in any health care center. This is because several laws and policies within the country support abortion. The woman also indicated that her health was in danger because the pregnancy affected her psychological well-being because she conceived under duress. Policy issue The policy that best typifies the case study is Access to Abortion Services that give women rights to abort. This right allows women to access abortion services, as well as support within health care units.

The act also creates access routes, and prohibits derogatory actions such as harassments. Some of the access routes include the health care facilities, physicians’ offices, and other service providers (College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia, 2013). Additionally, individuals receiving abortion services and issuing financial and emotional support are protected. The legalization of abortion has been controversial in the United States for the past 200 years making it difficult for the process to enjoy the protection of the law (Simmonds, 2013).

Currently, women in the United States have legal abortions right granted throughout the pregnancy period. Furthermore, the women have the right to abort in almost all situations especially after Supreme Court announced the incorporation of abortion rights into the constitution. This implies that any lawful barriers that will hinder the females from having abortion are unconstitutional (Abort73.com, 2009). How nursing has been involved in the policy issue This policy involves the nursing process because the service providers include the nurses who offer the abortion services and care based on the provisions of the act.

This means that it is illegal for nurses to refuse to give abortion services to females especially when the circumstances are justifiable. My position I supported the nurses’ decision in the case study. This is because the elements of the abortion policy contradict religious practices. According to my religion, abortion is sin because it constitutes murder. This means that offering abortion services may affect my conscience. My friend’s perspective about the case My friend also supports the nurses’ decision because she conforms to strict moral standards.

She indicates that several policies protect nurses from being involved in abortion procedures especially if their religious or moral values make them uncomfortable as they conduct abortion. My response to her perspective I also support my friend’s stand regarding the case study though nurses usually face ethical dilemmas especially when asked to give care to the patients who have gone through abortion. This is because several nurses fail to understand that giving such care is actually being involved in provision of abortion procedures.

The American Nursing Association code requires that nurses participate in giving care before and after abortion regardless of their comfort relating to the subject (Hitchcock & Thomas, 2003). References Abort73.com. (2009). Medical Testimony. Retrieved from http://www.abort73.com/index.php?/abortion/medical_testimony College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia. (2013). Legislation relevant to Nurses’ practice. Vancouver: CRNBC Retrieved from https://www.crnbc.ca/Standards/Lists/StandardResources/328LegRelevanttoNursesPracti ce.

pdf Hitchcock, J. E., Schubert, P. E., & Thomas, S. A. (2003). Community health nursing: Caring in action. Australia: Thomson/Delmar Learning. Simmonds, K. (2013). Patient information: Abortion (Pregnancy termination) (Beyond the Basics). Wolters Kluwer Retrieved from http://www.uptodate.com/contents/abortion-pregnancy-termination-beyond-the-basics