Final answer:
Professional practice advocacy is the most suitable response to address mandatory overtime and inadequate staffing for nurses, allowing a collective stance on labor market conditions and policy influencing.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nurses can address issues of mandatory overtime and inadequate staffing through various methods. However, if we look at historical labor movements and the role of labor unions, we can see that Professional practice advocacy is typically the more appropriate response for systemic issues such as these in the healthcare industry. Labor unions historically have sought to influence labor market conditions by collective bargaining and when necessary, organizing strikes. However, such actions as strikes (Employee strikes) are typically a last resort and come after other measures have been tried or considered. Workplace resignations might inadvertently exacerbate staffing shortages and do not address systemic issues directly. Legal proceedings could be relevant when laws regarding mandatory overtime or staffing levels are being violated. Nevertheless, professional practice advocacy through unions and other professional nursing organizations allows nurses to engage in a collective voice, influencing policy and promoting best practices for nurse staffing and overtime regulations. Moreover, citizens have acted to effect change by calling on elected representatives to pass labor-related laws, which have been supported politically by unions, showing that activism and advocacy can be a powerful tool in the labor market for nursing and other healthcare professionals.