topic 4 dq 1 comment 1 4

Before receiving my ADN, I served as a LPN with the Department of Veteran Affairs in which I would consider myself to really not be a contributor at any level in regards to passing legislation. I was fortunate enough to have a few great role models that ensured that nurses with degrees or certificates that were below them to sit in on a lot of committees and boards as a way to show us that other nurses were out there advocating on their behalf. When I first started with the Department of Veteran Affairs, I worked in the retirement homes to gain experience and learn the VA ways. In doing this I found myself with a large nurse to patient ration, in which was overwhelming at times, but still rewarding. With this I was able to sit in on a Video telephone conference and observe nurses all over the country come together to advocate for legislatures to protect patients by mandating minimum nurse-to-patient ratios in all VA hospitals.