Advocacy Through Legislation
4 DQ 2Nursing is one of the most trusted professions and advocacy for nurses has had a considerable impact on the introduction and implementation of the legislation. The defence of nurses in any legislation related to health care is vital for decision-makers, and nurses often have a great impact on health legislation (Abood, S, 2007). The defense of nursing is based on the maintenance of human dignity, the absence of suffering and the equality of the patient.An example of legislation developed in advocacy for nurses is the Childhood Cancer Research, Access, Treatment, and Survivors Act of 2018 (STAR Act), which was enacted on June 5, 2018 (NIH, 2021). The STAR Act was developed to identify children with cancer and improve their quality of life as survivors. The National Cancer Advisory Committee should have a pediatric oncologist as a member to ensure pediatric expertise and to identify opportunities for further childhood cancer research to provide better treatment for these children. The Oncology Care Society (ONS) emailed this bipartisan legislation to Senator Jack Reid in February 2017 and then wrote to House leaders to persuade them to speed up their vote for the bill. This was approved in the Senate in March 2018. Oncology nurses who are regularly involved in the treatment and management of side effects are very familiar with the emotional, physical, and financial issues of childhood cancer. The enactment of this legislation has accelerated the pace of pediatric cancer research, with a focus on the delayed impact on childhood cancer survivors and treatment. The number of survivors has increased due to better treatment options. The delayed impact on survivors is being studied and efforts are being made to reduce negative outcomes. All of this leads to more positive results, fewer side effects, and a better understanding of diseases, treatments, and patients.Other steps should be taken to further promote this issue. It must be ensured that research is moving in the right direction and leads to rapid recovery for pediatric cancer patients with fewer side effects. Careful evaluation and follow-up of patients is necessary to document positive results, which can then be used for evidence-based recommendations to further improve pediatric oncology.Using 200-300 words APA format with at least two references. Sources must be published within the last 5 years.
