THE ROLE OF THE RN APRN IN POLICY-MAKING NURS 6050
Walden University THE ROLE OF THE RN APRN IN POLICY-MAKING NURS 6050-Step-By-Step Guide
This guide will demonstrate how to complete the Walden University THE ROLE OF THE RN APRN IN POLICY-MAKING NURS 6050 assignment based on general principles of academic writing. Here, we will show you the A, B, Cs of completing an academic paper, irrespective of the instructions. After guiding you through what to do, the guide will leave one or two sample essays at the end to highlight the various sections discussed below.
How to Research and Prepare for THE ROLE OF THE RN APRN IN POLICY-MAKING NURS 6050
Whether one passes or fails an academic assignment such as the Walden University THE ROLE OF THE RN APRN IN POLICY-MAKING NURS 6050 depends on the preparation done beforehand. The first thing to do once you receive an assignment is to quickly skim through the requirements. Once that is done, start going through the instructions one by one to clearly understand what the instructor wants. The most important thing here is to understand the required format—whether it is APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.
After understanding the requirements of the paper, the next phase is to gather relevant materials. The first place to start the research process is the weekly resources. Go through the resources provided in the instructions to determine which ones fit the assignment. After reviewing the provided resources, use the university library to search for additional resources. After gathering sufficient and necessary resources, you are now ready to start drafting your paper.
How to Write the Introduction for THE ROLE OF THE RN APRN IN POLICY-MAKING NURS 6050
The introduction for the Walden University THE ROLE OF THE RN APRN IN POLICY-MAKING NURS 6050 is where you tell the instructor what your paper will encompass. In three to four statements, highlight the important points that will form the basis of your paper. Here, you can include statistics to show the importance of the topic you will be discussing. At the end of the introduction, write a clear purpose statement outlining what exactly will be contained in the paper. This statement will start with “The purpose of this paper…” and then proceed to outline the various sections of the instructions.
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How to Write the Body for THE ROLE OF THE RN APRN IN POLICY-MAKING NURS 6050
After the introduction, move into the main part of the THE ROLE OF THE RN APRN IN POLICY-MAKING NURS 6050 assignment, which is the body. Given that the paper you will be writing is not experimental, the way you organize the headings and subheadings of your paper is critically important. In some cases, you might have to use more subheadings to properly organize the assignment. The organization will depend on the rubric provided. Carefully examine the rubric, as it will contain all the detailed requirements of the assignment. Sometimes, the rubric will have information that the normal instructions lack.
Another important factor to consider at this point is how to do citations. In-text citations are fundamental as they support the arguments and points you make in the paper. At this point, the resources gathered at the beginning will come in handy. Integrating the ideas of the authors with your own will ensure that you produce a comprehensive paper. Also, follow the given citation format. In most cases, APA 7 is the preferred format for nursing assignments.
How to Write the Conclusion for THE ROLE OF THE RN APRN IN POLICY-MAKING NURS 6050
After completing the main sections, write the conclusion of your paper. The conclusion is a summary of the main points you made in your paper. However, you need to rewrite the points and not simply copy and paste them. By restating the points from each subheading, you will provide a nuanced overview of the assignment to the reader.
How to Format the References List for THE ROLE OF THE RN APRN IN POLICY-MAKING NURS 6050
The very last part of your paper involves listing the sources used in your paper. These sources should be listed in alphabetical order and double-spaced. Additionally, use a hanging indent for each source that appears in this list. Lastly, only the sources cited within the body of the paper should appear here.
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Introduction
As I continue to advance my academic career, I am aware that there are various opportunities for both registered nurses (RNs) and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to actively engage in policymaking. There are advocacy opportunities at both the state and federal levels to contribute to shaping healthcare policies and promoting positive changes in the field (Milstead & Short, 2019). As a nurse practitioner student, it is essential to understand opportunities for advocacy, challenges that may arise and opportunities to overcome.
First Opportunity
One prominent avenue for federal advocacy is through professional nursing organizations that often have policy committees or advocacy initiatives. Joining such committees allows nurses to participate in discussions, share insights from their clinical experiences, and contribute to the formulation of policies that impact healthcare. As a current member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners professional organization, I have access to advocacy opportunities at the federal level for patient safety, access to care and other critical areas for reform (American Association of Nurse Practitioners, n.d.). One challenge that this opportunity may present is that membership to an organization can be costly for a student. To overcome the cost associated with joining a professional nursing organization, I would explore available student discounts, scholarships, or seek sponsorship from educational institutions or healthcare facilities to support my membership.
Second Opportunity
Another opportunity for state advocacy is through participation in the State Board of Nursing (BON) in the state where you hold your licensure. Direct involvement allows nurses to contribute their perspectives, insights, and experiences to the policymaking process, influencing decisions that directly impact the nursing profession. A potential barrier to participating in the Board of Nursing could be time constraints, especially for working nurses or those seeking continued academic studies. To overcome this barrier, it would be essential to prioritize and manage time effectively by creating a schedule that allocates dedicated time for board activities. Specifically for the state of Arizona, the BON meets for 2 days every month, and the schedule is posted for the year ahead (Arizona State Board of Nursing, n.d.). This would be beneficial to overcome the barrier of participation as dates are well known in advance.
Strategy for advocacy
To better advocate for and communicate these opportunities, one strategy is to join social media groups. For instance, joining social media groups such as ‘State 48’, an Arizona specific nursing group on Facebook, for nurses to connect, share insights, and stay updated on local nursing practices and regulations. Another opportunity is to engage with peers, professors, and guest speakers in these courses for valuable connections and opportunities within the nursing community. Participating in these discussion posts has significantly expanded my understanding of regulations in various states, empowering me to advocate effectively for safe nursing practices specifically in Arizona.
Conclusion
In conclusion, as I advance academically, opportunities for RNs and APRNs in policymaking emerge at both state and federal levels. Despite challenges like membership costs and time constraints, proactive measures can overcome these barriers. Engaging in platforms like social media groups and academic networking enhances my understanding of regulations, empowering me to advocate for safe nursing practices effectively.
References
American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). (n.d.). Federal Advocacy. Retrieved from https://www.aanp.org/advocacy/federal
Arizona State Board of Nursing (n.d.). Board meeting overview revised November 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2024, from https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BlFSNiKIXSDSwM-z2g1EMLO9rvu9_kZs/view
Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning
THE ROLE OF THE RN APRN IN POLICY-MAKING NURS 6050
THE ROLE OF THE RN APRN IN POLICY-MAKING NURS 6050
RNs and APRNs play essential roles in health care that influence policy decisions. There are numerous chances for nurses and nurse practitioners to get involved in policy-making. House policy-making and evaluation are essential, but legislative and political advocacy is no less critical to advancing the profession and patient care (ANA,2020). Participating in creating these policies establishes and incorporates relevant criteria for providing care.
The first opportunity for APRNs to actively participate in policy-making is becoming a member of a professional nursing organization. Doing so allows an NP to gain access to the tools it might take to get involved with groups of others participating in policy-making. Although some may feel hesitant about joining a professional organization, induction is primarily expected in the nursing community (Echevarria, 2018). An example of a professional organization is the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Being a part of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) is more than just a membership; it is a real opportunity to make a measurable difference in the strength of your profession and the health of this country (American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 2022). This organization offers much insight into the education, advocacy, and practice. Being a member of the AANP will allow individuals to be educated and aware and allows RNs and APRNS to make a difference in patient care.
The second opportunity for APRNs and registered nurses to actively participate in policy-making is to continue education. While nurses can participate in policy-making at any educational level, pursuing an advanced degree is an effective way to get a seat at the nursing policy table. Earning a DNP demonstrates nurses’ expertise at the highest level of practice, represents their commitment to advancing health outcomes, and distinguishes them as a thought leader. The DNP has been recognized by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing as the most appropriate degree for advanced-practice registered nurses to enter practice (Marymount University,2021).
APRNs might face a challenge in policy-making is the lack of available resources and knowledge. Some nurses felt as though they did not possess the right resources to be able to mobilize policy-making actions. Reviewing and developing policies can become overwhelming and intimidating. APRNs also felt they had a lack of knowledge pertaining to health policy development, thus making it difficult to move forward in the process. Nurses and nurse practitioners found that influencing policy development and the course of the health policy is mainly about securing resources for health care (Shariff,2014). To overcome this challenge, I recommend becoming a professional nursing organization member. Nursing organizations give nurses the tools they need to stay current on best practices, read the opinions of industry leaders, and get a peek at what other hospitals throughout the nation are doing to change patient care.
The second challenge nurses and APRNs might face is a feeling of powerlessness to affect policy change. It is not uncommon to feel as though your voice is being ignored when you are a part of a significant movement. Front‐line nurses may believe it is impossible to create policy change at the national or even local level; many may think their role is too small to make a difference in health policy. However, the front-line engagement nurses have with patients, and other healthcare professionals, make them ideal healthcare policy advocates (Rafferty,2018). When decision-makers hear from nurses and practitioners, it will improve decisions on care coordination, regulatory changes, and health information technology. Knowledge is power in these situations.
One of the strategies I may implement is educating other nurses so they can be a part of policy-making. Until this class, I had no idea that I could affect policy-making. I would share facts, get people involved in a nursing organization that suits them, and increase awareness that we can make a change as nurses or APRNs. A second strategy I would use is to get the hospital I work at involved in policy reviews and nurse advocacy. I would create an in-house organization that makes nurses aware of their power to make change happen. I would collect a list of hospital issues we experience, see what we can do to change them, and collaborate with other hospitals to see if the issue is happening elsewhere.
References
American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (2022). Clinical Resources for Nurse Practitioners (NPS). American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Retrieved October 12, 2022, from https://www.aanp.org/practice/clinical-resources-for-nps
ANA. (2020, April 27). Advocacy. Practice Advocacy . Retrieved October 12, 2022, from https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/advocacy/
Echevarria, I. (2018). Make connections by joining a professional nursing
organization. Nursing, 48 (12), 35-38. doi: 10.1097/01.NURSE.0000547721.84857.cb.
Marymount University.(2021, November 11). 5 ways nurses can shape policy. Marymount University Online. Retrieved October 12, 2022, from https://online.marymount.edu/blog/nursing-influence-on-health-care-policy
Rafferty A. M. (2018). Nurses as change agents for a better future in health care: the politics of drift and dilution. Health economics, policy, and law, 13(3-4), 475–491. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1744133117000482
Shariff N. (2014). Factors that act as facilitators and barriers to nurse leaders’ participation in health policy development. BMC nursing, 13, 20. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6955-13-20
Discussion 2: The Role of the RN/APRN in Policy-Making
Word cloud generators have become popular tools for meetings and team-building events. Groups or teams are asked to use these applications to input words they feel best describe their team or their role. A “word cloud” is generated by the application that makes prominent the most-used terms, offering an image of the common thinking among participants of that role.
What types of words would you use to build a nursing word cloud? Empathetic, organized, hard-working, or advocate would all certainly apply. Would you add policy-maker to your list? Do you think it would be a very prominent component of the word cloud?
Nursing has become one of the largest professions in the world, and as such, nurses have the potential to influence policy and politics on a global scale. When nurses influence the politics that improve the delivery of healthcare, they are ultimately advocating for their patients. Hence, policy-making has become an increasingly popular term among nurses as they recognize a moral and professional obligation to be engaged in healthcare legislation.
To Prepare:
- Revisit the Congress.gov website provided in the Resources and consider the role of RNs and APRNs in policy-making.
- Reflect on potential opportunities that may exist for RNs and APRNs to participate in the policy-making process.
By Day 3 of Week 8
Post an explanation of at least two opportunities that exist for RNs and APRNs to actively participate in policy-making. Explain some of the challenges that these opportunities may present and describe how you might overcome these challenges. Finally, recommend two strategies you might make to better advocate for or communicate the existence of these opportunities to participate in policy-making. Be specific and provide examples.
As RNs, future APRNs, and NPs, we are in an intimate position to advocate for our patients and the nursing policies that regulate our practice. Our education and experience guide lawmakers about the value and realistic ability to implement proposed policies. For this to happen, nurses need to be educated on how we can participate in the policy-making process.
The first way is by joining a professional nursing organization. The American Nurse Association or state nursing associations have advocacy or policy boards that give input into developing policies that influence local, state, and federal policies (Morris, 2023). Another way for RNs or APRNs to participate in policy is by building a relationship with your lawmaker. Morris(2023) states, “One of the best ways to influence someone’s thinking is to develop a relationship with them.” A relationship can be cultivated by writing, calling, or making an appointment to visit your elected official. Become familiar with their background and the policies they support. Bring your expert experience to the forefront and make a difference in advocating for everyone’s health and well-being through policy-making.
Factors influencing RNs/APRNs participation in policy-making and ways to overcome them.
An RN or APRN may not choose to participate in the policy arena because they think they need to possess the knowledge or understand how politics work. “Playing” politics is seen negatively, casting a dark shadow of self-seeking gain. One of the biggest reasons for nonparticipation is the perceived lack of time( Milstead & Short, 2019). So what are ways that we can overcome some of these barriers? First, it is crucial to understand that RNs bring expertise to the care of our patients and how policies affect our patient’s health and well-being that elected officials may need help understanding. (Milstead & Short, 2019). I have also learned that something as simple as writing to my elected official, introducing myself, and sharing my passion for nursing and the well-being of my patients is a nontime consuming way of getting involved with policymakers.
Resources
Hajizadeh, A., Zamanzadeh, V., Kakemam, E., Bahreini, R., & Khodayari-Zarnaq, R. (2021). Factors influencing nurses participation in the health policy-making process: a systematic review. BMC nursing, 20(1), 128. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-021-00648-6
Milstead J. A, & Short, N. M (2019) Health Policy and Politics: A nurse’s guide, (6th ed). Jones & Bartlett Learning
Morris, G. (2023, March 8). Ten Ways Nurses Can Get Involved In Policy. NurseJournal. https://nursejournal.org/.
StudyCorgi. (2022, June 6). Barriers to Nurses’ Participation in Policy-Making. https://studycorgi.com/barriers-to-nurses-participation-in-policy-making/
By Day 6 of Week 8
Respond to at least two of your colleagues* posts by suggesting additional opportunities or recommendations for overcoming the challenges described by your colleagues.
Click on the Reply button below to reveal the textbox for entering your message. Then click on the Submit button to post your message.
*Note: Throughout this program, your fellow students are referred to as colleagues.
Given that there are more nurses than any other profession in healthcare, it is only natural that nurses should play a larger role in creating healthcare policy. Key organizations are articulating the need for nurses to become more involved in leadership, advocacy and policymaking. Consequently, the need for nurses to receive more training about leadership in connection to their role for influencing health policies is emphasized. There also needs to be a greater effort to grow a cadre of health policy nurses and help everyone in the nursing profession understand how nurses can effectively impact health policy.
According to Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, more than ever, nurses are present in every healthcare setting and possess a unique role in formulating policy. The Institute of Medicine’s 2010 report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, recognized the importance of involving nurses in healthcare policy creation and called for nurses to take leadership in improving the quality of healthcare. Being actively involved in policy formulation is something that most leading nursing organizations advocate. Sigma also provides the examples of how the American Association of Colleges of Nursing emphasizes the role of nursing in policy and identifies, in its “Essentials” documents, the expected policy involvement that should be addressed in educational programs at the baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral levels of professional nursing, including advanced practice.
That being said, nurses nevertheless play an important role in health policy making. Nurses can use their local and state resources or national nursing advocacy groups to gain an understanding of current issues and learn how they can become involved. Many specialty nursing organizations have policy experts available as resources to beginning nurse advocates. They can help with preparing written or oral statements for hearings and may accompany nurses to hearings at the local state house or even on Capitol Hill.
Nurses are encouraged to participate in health policy for three reasons. First, nurses closely deal with patients and their families in a variety of settings; therefore, their comments can be considered as valuable sources for policy development. Second, different health policies have direct effects on nurses. Thus, policies should ensure a supportive work setting. Third, nurses play key role in professional development and can highly contributed to the formation of appropriate and efficient health policies.
References
Boschma G. International nursing history: the International Council of Nurses history collective and beyond. Nurs Hist Rev. 2014;22(1):114–8. https://doi.org/10.1891/1062-8061.22.114.
Robinson J. Nursing and health policy perspectives: is it time for nurses to write from their anger? Int Nurs Rev. 2013;60(2):147. https://doi.org/10.1111/inr.12030.
Benner P. Educating nurses: a call for radical transformation—how far have we come? J Nurs Educ. 2012;51(4):183–4. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20120402-01.
I concur with everything you said about how a nurse can get involved in the healthcare policymaking process. I would like to talk about what it takes for a nurse to be an advocate. When nurses take on the role of a policy advocate, they are compelled to give up the comfort of their practice and go into an area where laws and regulations affecting patient care are formulated. As tedious as the role may be, taking on the nurse advocate role offers a unique opportunity for the nurse to make a difference and to have the contentment of being part of the team that is bringing a better healthcare system.
Advocacy supplements the nurse’s professional practice and gives them an award for having control over patient care and outcomes. The role of a nurse as advocate demands that he/she gets access to the resources of power, will, time and energy in addition to political skills (Exworthy, 2011). A good deal of state nursing and nursing organizations offer apprenticeships or fellowships and organize workshops to allow nurses to learn more about current healthcare issues and the legislative process (Hofler, 2006).
These organizations also provide new nurse advocates with easy access to more experienced nurse advocates to serve as mentors. A nurse with an interest can bring change to the policymaking process as long as he/she has time, resources, and confidence (Lee & Covey, 1997). A nurse advocate can decide on the method to employ to be effective. One way a nurse advocate can use this is, by writing a letter or making a phone call about an issue. It is worth noting that complex issues will not be resolved by a few phone calls or dedicated efforts from one person, it will take a collective effort of several advocates working together with a common goal (Fawcett & Russell, 2001).
References
Exworthy, M. (2011). Shaping health policy (1st ed.). Bristol University Press.
Fawcett, J., & Russell, G. (2001). A conceptual model of nursing and health policy. Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice, 2(2), 108–116. https://doi.org/10.1177/152715440100200205
Hofler, L. D. (2006). Learning from the best: The benefits of a structured health policy fellowship in developing nursing health policy leaders. Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice, 7(2), 110–113. https://doi.org/10.1177/1527154406290910
Lee, B., & Covey, S. R. (1997). The power principle: Influence with honor (First ed.). Simon & Schuster.
There are many ways that APRNs and RNs can get involved in policy making. One way would be to join a nurse’s association. These associations working with and as lobbyists to influence policy makers to produce favorable changes for healthcare. Once a person is in a group like this, they have a voice and a vote as to what the association is lobbying for. Another way to influence policy would be to take your experience right to your local or state policy maker and state the problem you have noticed. Healthcare workers are on the frontline of these issues and can help the policy maker address the problem. That policy maker may not have a lot of healthcare knowledge, this is where the experience of the healthcare workers is crucial. Being a resource to that policy maker who may not be surrounded by enough expertise on the matter to decide can be crucial in establishing open communication so that policy can be made. Healthcare workers can aid in agenda setting, as well as aiding in policy formation once you have attracted enough attention.
Challenges that one may encounter with being in a nurse’s association could be that your voice gets lost in the crowd. These organizations can be very large, and it may seem like one voice won’t make too much of a difference. To combat this, you could go to one of the leaders in the organization directly or, you could speak to other members of the organization to band together to make your voice louder. With going to your local or state policy maker, a problem may be the time commitment. If you decide to be an asset to this person and provide expertise, this may come with a lot of time committed with potentially no pay. With this, you will need to find a work life balance, which will change person to person. And with both methods there will no doubt be people who oppose your ideology or your proposed change. For this, you must do your research and back up your claims to be able to defend your argument.
One potential strategy could be to identify the proper climate for the introduction of policy development. Make sure that this change would be identified as an issue by the healthcare workers it would affect as well as the policy makers. For example, if there is a rural clinic that would need better funding or continued funding so that a certain area has that resource. The healthcare workers may recognize that there is a significant need in that are which does not have access to other places of healthcare. Some of these rural areas may not have multiple hospitals or clinics within an acceptable range. Another strategy would be to get frontline workers to join you in your policy making process. Frontline workers are greatly affected by policy change. And in today’s society, since the pandemic, they are regarded as heroes by many. Having their voice supporting you may be the difference in whether or not your proposed change is met with open ears by policy makers.
References
Klein, K. J., & Sorra, J. S. (1996). The Challenge of Innovation Implementation. Academy of Management Review, 21(4), 1055–1080. https://doi.org/10.5465/AMR.1996.9704071863
Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Walden University, LLC. (Producer). (2018). Health policy and politics [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurses have many opportunities to participate in policymaking. Nursing involvement in policymaking brings attention to critical problems or issues within health care and ensures the government’s response to the problem (Milstead & Short, 2019). One opportunity for a nurse to contribute to policymaking is to join a hospital or state committee. Many hospitals encourage nursing participation on committees because hospitals acknowledge how valuable a nurse’s input in policymaking is. Another strategy to be more involved in policymaking is continuing education. Advanced practice registered nurses have numerous ways to influence policy-making with their expert clinical opinion and advice (Milstead & Short, 2019).
Every opportunity comes with its own set of challenges, including policymaking. One of the top three reasons nurses are not actively involved in policymaking is the lack of time (Rasheed et al., 2020). Nurses are expected to do more with fewer resources daily, leaving even less time for career development, such as participating in policymaking. One resolution to approach the lack of time is hospitals allotting a certain amount of time per week or month for nurses to participate on committees, aside from their full-time schedule. Another challenge nurses face is the general tendency or stereotype of older experienced nurses to “eat their young” or, in other words, show dominance instead of teaching and nurturing new graduates. This nursing stereotype has bled into the policymaking arena. Nurses in leadership roles refuse to teach their preceptees or ignore them completely to show dominance (Rasheed et al., 2020). One resolution to address this stereotype is for consequences to be enforced against those who are condescending or unwilling to help other nurses.
One strategy that should be implemented to increase awareness and advocate for opportunities for nurses to be involved in policymaking is for nursing education programs to incorporate the impact nurses could have on policy development and the associated outcomes for healthcare in general. A nursing program should include the importance of participation in policymaking and how to be an active member of policymaking. Another strategy that could be utilized in advocating for nurses in policy-making is the use of social media. Media is used to educate, share news, and advocate; in doing so, media is a tool used to educate, connect, or organize people for change (Myers, 2020). Media can be used to reach many people or audiences with minimal effort.
References
Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.). Jones & Bartlett.
Myers, C. R. (2020). Promoting population health: Nurse advocacy, policy making, and use of media. Nursing Clinics of North America, 55(1), 11–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cnur.2019.11.001
Rasheed, S., Younas, A., & Mehdi, F. (2020). Challenges, extent of involvement, and the impact of nurses’ involvement in politics and policy making in in last two decades: An integrative review. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 52(4), 446. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.12567
Opportunities for RNs and APRNs Two Opportunities for RNs and APRNs to Actively Participate in Policy-making
Active participation of nurses in policymaking fosters holistic service delivery and eliminates healthcare disparities. For RNs, one can be a chief nursing officer or a healthcare manager, whereas for APRNs, the two possible roles are clinical nurse specialist or a nurse practitioner. A chief nursing officer oversees the implementation of policies in the nursing department by planning, organizing, and directing healthcare services in an organization (Registered Nursing). On the other hand, a clinical nurse specialist provides leadership in community health to ensure that policies are enacted and the process of administering care promotes ethics, health, and advanced care practices for quality outcomes (American Nurses Association). Therefore, a chief nursing officer and a clinical nurse specialist participate in policymaking as their leadership roles inform the development of practices to improve healthcare delivery through stakeholder engagements.
Challenges Facing The Opportunities And Ways To Overcome
The success of the opportunities aligns with healthcare policies and practices that promote nursing excellence by addressing work environment concerns through health policy directives. According to American Nurses Association (ANA), the key challenge is the complex ethical issues that limit the advancement of the scope of practice and the elimination of manual patient handling. The issues cause barriers for all nurses across all specialties due to conflicting interests. In addition, nurses are prone to failing the nursing practices and social concerns of a patient, leading to inadequate care services (American Nurses Association). The ANA needs to integrate professionalism, champion improved healthcare regulations, and initiate healthcare systems and reforms that demonstrate the important issues facing healthcare today.
Two Strategies That Communicate the Existence of the Opportunities in Policy-making
In healthcare policymaking, the capacity to reinvent the chief nursing officer and a clinical specialist role aligns with enacting strategies that empower nurses to excel. Therefore, the American Nursing Association’s best strategy is the integration of advocacy and innovation in the workplace. For example, advocacy offers legislative proposals that improve patients’ needs, enable professionalism in their workplace, and provide collaborative care services in communities. The strategy nurtures nurses, improves leadership, and promotes responsive policymaking (Congress. Gov, 2022). Another strategy is innovation through educational and inspirational content (American Nursing Association). For instance, the practices allow the engagement of all leaders in a healthcare setting and provides funding opportunities that support creativity, transform healthcare services, and empower nurses’ ingenuity for a holistic outcome. Advocacy and innovation enlist creativity and ideas tailored to encourage career development and implementation of responsive legislation, leading to positive changes in nursing.
References
American Nurses Association. (n.d.). Advocacy. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/advocacy/
American Nurses Association. (n.d.). Advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/workforce/what-is-nursing/aprn/
American Nurses Association. (n.d.). Health policy. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/health-policy/
Congress. Gov. (2022). H.Res.674 – Expressing support for the designation of September 22, 2021, as “National Hispanic Nurses Day.” https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-resolution/674/text?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22RNs%22%2C%22RNs%22%5D%7D&r=1&s=1
Registered Nursing. (n.d.). Chief nursing officer. https://www.registerednursing.org/specialty/chief-nursing-officer/
Registered Nursing. (n.d.). Clinical nurse specialist. https://www.registerednursing.org/clinical-nurse-specialist/
The role of RN/APRN in Policy Making
One of the professional responsibilities of nurses and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) is to be involved in the political process by contributing their professional knowledge and skills to legislation during the policymaking process (Milstead & Short, 2019). Nurses must take advantage of many available opportunities to continue advocating for their patients by participating in legislation (American Nurses Association, n.d.).
Two opportunities I choose to discuss available for R.N.s and APRNs to participate in policymaking include recently proposed health policies, Protect Sexual and Reproductive Act (H.R. 8524) -117th Congress (2021-2022) proposed by Rep Bush, Cori of the democratic party, serving Missouri district one. The second one is the Improving Access to Health Care in Rural and Underserved Area Act (H.R. 7383-117th Congress (2021-2022) proposed by Rep Susie Lee of a democratic party serving Nevada’s third district. Nurses and APRNs may contribute to these legislations by contacting their legislators and offering evidenced- based knowledge on why these bills must pass because they are more in direct contact with the individuals and the community and understand their struggle (Rasheed, et., al, 2020).
Some of the challenges anticipated include a lack of adequate motivation and interest on the part of the nurses and APRNs to participate in the policymaking process (Rasheed et al., 2020). Many nurses and APRNs do not have enough educational resources and preparation to participate confidently in politics/policymaking. There are also challenges of lack of mentors as many in nursing leadership refuse to mentor the juniors (Rasheed et al., 2020). To overcome the challenges, those in the nursing management and leadership must be informed of these challenges regarding nursing involvement in politics to improve nursing science regarding policymaking (Rasheed et al., 2020). Continuing education for nurses is a great way to build their confidence to participate in politics and policymaking due to the emphasis on many skills, such as communication, assertiveness, active listening, and so on. (Milstead & Short, 2019). These sources also suggested that nursing leadership must stop waiting for problems to arise and become proactive in being part of influencing policy and then encourage the junior nurses to participate as well.
Practical strategies to advocate and communicate these opportunities to participate in policy making is using social media to communicate the benefits of this policy to the individuals and the community. Also, joining professional nursing organizations is an excellent way for nurses and APRNs to learn about these opportunities to be part of policymaking and advocacy. Milstead & Short mentioned that the American Nurses Association (ANA) and other nursing organizations advocated for many healthcare policies that passed and continue to advocate for improvement as the need arises.
References
Americans Nurses Association (ANA). (n.d.). Advocacy. Retrieved on October 16, 2022
from https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/advocacy/
117th Congress. (2021-2022). H.R. 8524-Protect Sexual and Reproductive Health Act of 2022
117TH Congress (2021-2022). Improving Access to Healthcare in Rural
and Underserved Areas Act, H.R. 7383 https://www.congress.gov/bill/117thcongress/house-bill/7383
Milstead, J., A. & Short, N., M. (2019). Health Policy and Politics: A Nurse’s
Guide (6th Ed). Bartlett Learning.
Rasheed, S., p., Younas, A., & Mehdi, F., (2020). Challenges, Extent of
Involvement and the Impact of Nurses’ Involvement in Politics and Policy
Making in Last Two Decades: An Integrative Review. Journal of
Nursing Scholarship, 52(4), 446-455. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.12567
NURS 6050 Discussion 2 The Role of the RN/APRN in Policy-Making
Healthcare policy-making processes often involve different individuals including the management, healthcare professionals, stakeholders and the community. The contribution of nurses in the policy-making processes is always significant given their experiences while dealing with patients as well as the management of other nursing professionals. RNs and APRNs should therefore participate actively in the policy-making processes to ensure that essential issues are fully addressed (Rasheed, Younas, & Mehdi, 2020).
Both RNs and APRNs have different opportunities to take part in the policymaking processes. Through applying their advanced skills and knowledge in the publications of their findings, RNs and APRNs are capable of influencing decision-making processes in the healthcare settings within different communities (Kooienga & Wilkinson, 2017). RNs and APRNs can also seek elective positions where they may become directly involved in the formulation of different policies as well as the reviews of the already existing policies. One of the challenges presented by the above opportunities is that they take away time from the nurses, making them less effective in delivery quality services that they should (Juma, Edwards, & Spitzer, 2017). The participation in the policy-making processes may also create conflicts of interest between the politics and service delivery to the patients. The participation in the politics to influence policies may also consume limited financial resources for the nurses thereby limiting their personal growth and development.
To overcome these challenges, there is need for the RNs and APRNs to source funds to help in enhancing these activities. Also, training both RNs and APRNs on the time management is necessary in overcoming these challenges. One of the strategies that can be used to better advocate for or communicate the existence of the opportunities in the policy-making processes is publications. Also, the adoption of social media platforms such as Facebook to educate and market nurses on their opportunities may prove to be significant in making them become policy advocates.
References
Juma, P. A., Edwards, N., & Spitzer, D. (2017). Kenyan nurses involvement in national policy development processes. Nursing research and practice, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/236573
Kooienga, S., & Wilkinson, J. (2017, January). RN prescribing: an expanded role for nursing. In Nursing forum (Vol. 52, No. 1, pp. 3-11). https://doi.org/10.1111/nuf.12159
Rasheed, S. P., Younas, A., & Mehdi, F. (2020). Challenges, Extent of Involvement, and the Impact of Nurses’ Involvement in Politics and Policy Making in in Last Two Decades: An Integrative Review. Journal of Nursing Scholarship. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.12567
When talking about the healthcare professionals, the roles of nurses, either the registered nurses (RNs) or the advanced nurse practitioners APRNs) can not be underrated. Nurses offer a unique, expert perspective on every aspect of the health care system and have an important voice in efforts to improve health (American Nurses Association [ANA], n.d.). Based on this, their involvement in the policy-making process is very paramount. The participation of the nurses in policy-making will facilitate patient care delivery. RNs’ and APRNs’ influence in health policies protects patient safety, increases the quality of care, facilitates their access to the required resources, and promotes quality health care (Arabi et al., 2014).
Nursing organizations promote active participation by nurses in policymaking. For instance, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing emphasizes the role of nursing in the policy. For example, many educational programs incorporate policymaking into their curriculum. The National League for Nursing and the American Nurses Association also expect nurses to address policy as part of their professional role (Burke, 2016a).
How Nurses Can Partake in Policy-Making Process
A few of the numerous ways a nurse can partake in policymaking process are reading through pieces of literature and learning how policy is developed. Also, one should seek out policy areas one wants to influence, search the internet, research, and contact nursing organizations that participate in policy development. Nursing organizations and organizations such as AARP have multiple user-friendly internet sites that provide information about participating in policymaking activities (Burke, 2016b). Another way to become actively involved in policymaking is to meet with both local and state legislatures. Also, nurses can become actively involved in policymaking by becoming a nursing organization member such as American Nurses Association (ANA) or any other nursing professional organization (ANA, n.d.).
Challenges in Policy-Making Process
As there are many opportunities to get involved in the policymaking process, so are some challenges. One of those challenges includes difficulty in getting the ideas/agenda to the floor of the house. To overcome this challenge, one must be sure that he/she is knowledgeable with evidence-based facts regarding the issue before presenting to the policymakers. Involving the media is another way to get one’s agenda to the floor of the house and finally passed into law. Disseminating the information through social media brings the issue to the public’s awareness, which in turn pressurizes the law makers. Social media can support nursing campaigns and help the profession build relationships with key stakeholders to influence policy and political processes (O’Connor & Holloway, 2019).
References
American Nurses Association. (n.d.). Health Policy. Retrieved January 17, 2021 from https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/health-policy/
Arabi, A., Rafii, F., Cheraghi, M. A., & Ghiyasvandian, S. (2014). Nurses’ policy influence: A concept analysis. Iranian journal of nursing and midwifery research, 19(3), 315–322.
Burke S. (2016). Influence through policy: Nurses have a unique role. Retrieved January 17, 2021 from https://nursingcentered.sigmanursing.org/commentary/more-commentary/Vol42_2_nurses-have-a-unique-role
Getting involved with a professional nursing organization is one of the simplest ways for a nurse to become involved in public policy. According to the American Nurses Association (n.d.), joining a professional organization leads to the creation of a unified voice on policy. This is vital, as changing policy involves multiple opinions that are established under one voice. Participating in policy-making can be overwhelming for an individual, so becoming a part of a larger organization can aid in overcoming that barrier. However, this advocation opportunity can present a financial hurdle as professional organizations operate under a for-profit membership model. Additionally, time constraints and a lack of inclusion are challenges when joining a professional nursing organization. The potential lack of diversity among members and leadership may create a sense of not belonging. To assure that I actively participate in this opportunity, I would do my research to ensure that I was joining an organization that aligned with my personal and political values. Additionally, I would explore what my maximum time commitment could be.
The purpose of public policy involvement is to direct problems to the government’s attention (Milstead & Short, 2019). At a local level, nurses can become involved in policy-making by contacting their elected officials about potential legislation that affects the healthcare field. This is an opportunity that takes minimal time, and resources. Additionally, this allows nurses to communicate about the issues that truly matter and will impact them. However, this method of policy involvement may require some nurses to move outside their comfort zone. For those that are uncomfortable talking on the phone, reaching out to policymakers via email or mail may be preferable. The transformation of nursing practice is commonly done through the construction of shared professional governance infrastructure and distributive decision-making (Porter-O’Grady, 2019). As legislators hear nurses’ voices directly, laws will be changed and created to favor their opinions.
Communication is required to increase advocacy in our professional field (Barton, 2018). When joining a professional organization, I would discuss the membership process with coworkers and friends. I would regularly elaborate on the opportunities that the organization has afforded me while encouraging those around me to get involved in a professional organization themselves. Moreover, I would advocate for others to get involved in policy-making by encouraging conversation related to the current issues within our professional field. By openly discussing the need for or impact of potential legislation more nurses will be encouraged to reach out to their local representatives.
American Nurses Association. (n.d.). Practice & advocacy. Retrieved from https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/
Barton, A. J. (2018). Leadership and communication competencies in nursing: What are we missing?. The Journal of Nursing Education, 57(5), 259–260. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20180420-01
Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning
Porter-O’Grady, T. (2019). Principles for sustaining shared/professional governance in nursing. Nursing Management, 50(1), 36-41. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NUMA.0000550448.17375.28
Nurses are the members of the largest profession in the health system with a comprehensive care approach. Nevertheless, they play a minor role in health policy advocacy in the United States (Lewinski & Simmons, 2018). Nurses significantly impact the health system’s effectiveness and play an essential role in health promotion, disease prevention, treatment, and care. The potential opportunities that may exist for RNs and APRNs to participate in the policymaking process is by creating a suitable platform and engaging in the legal issues to increase the legal powers of nurses and writing to federal and states policy maker representatives about improving the economic growth of societies and achieving social justice and equality in access to health services policy bills that nurses have filed. Nurses must be trained in politics, participate in city committees and assemblies, nominate for local office, and even practice the right to vote can affect healthcare policy (Welliver, 2016). Nursing has always been affected by the health sector’s federal or state-level policymaking process. Therefore, RNs and APRNs must be members of nursing organizations to actively participate in policymaking since nursing organizations can lobby on behalf of patients for patient advocacy.
Challenges that opportunities may present
The significant challenges in the policymaking of the nursing profession at federal or state levels can be named defective upstream policies and lack of mutual dialogs and understanding of the requirements of the nursing profession by the legislators, and weakness in the implementation of policies. The challenges in policymaking at an organizational level include policymakers’ need for knowledge and skill competency, lack of understanding between health policy and health advocacy, and limited healthcare policy education (Welliver, 2016).
Two strategies to better advocate and participate in policymaking
Appropriate strategies are necessary to solve these challenges, such as periodic review and identification of required policies which increases the effectiveness and implementation capability of the policy. Another strategy nurses might overcome these challenges is by improving society’s public image to ensure and accept nursing services by strengthening the inner confidence of nurses and increasing their presence in scientific societies and healthcare organizations. Nurses have more opportunities to participate in policymaking. Another strategy to better advocate and communicate the existence of opportunities would be paying attention to efficient policies in the nursing field and active interaction with the media, such as Facebook and Twitter, to achieve a positive professional identity and public belief (ANA Social Media Principles, 2017). For instance, by using social media, nurses can approach other nurses and engage in policy discussion debates with their colleagues to inform them about nurses’ role in policymaking health strategy development.
References:
ANA Social Media Principles. (2017, October 14). ANA. https://www.nursingworld.org/social/
Lewinski, A. A., & Simmons, L. A. (2018). Nurse Knowledge and Engagement in Health Policy Making: Findings From a Pilot Study. Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 49(9), 407–415. https://doi.org/10.3928/00220124-20180813-06
Welliver, M. (2016, September 22). The nursing profession’s potential impact on policy and politics. American Nurse. https://www.myamericannurse.com/nursing-professions-potential-impact-policy-politics/
I agree that RNs and APRNs are not trained in advocating in relation to policy making. However, they are needed within the political arena. Making laws centered around healthcare workers without the help of healthcare workers can cause a grave mistake. Researchers must make evidence-based policies if they want political leaders to use evidence-based research to make laws (Crowley, 2023). Therefore, RNs and APRNs are perfect for influencing political leaders by using evidence-based practice research to make laws.
Joining organizations is another great way for RNs and APRNs to influence policies. For example, American Nurse’s Association fight for the rights of nurses in the political arena. However, has been said that the growth of local democracy depends on the community’s ability to participate in local politics (De Weger, 2022). With that being said, there are many local organizations that RNs and APRNs can join to advocate and influence policies. The local American Red Cross and local nursing associations are great organizations to join to influence policies within the community.
References
De Weger, E., Drewes, H. W., Van Vooren, N. J. E., Luijkx, K. G., & Baan, C. A. (2022). Engaging citizens in local health policymaking A realist explorative case-study. PLoS ONE, 17(3). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0265404
Max Crowley D. & Taylor Scott, J. (2023). To Support Evidence-Based Policymaking, Bring Researchers and Policymakers Together. Issues in Science & Technology, 39(2), 31–35.
The Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation
Due to a lack of confidence in preparedness or knowledge, many nursing professionals are hesitant to be involved in policymaking and policy evaluation. To ensure effective planning, implementation, and ongoing assessment of healthcare policies, nurses needed to be at the table and are vital to the redesign of healthcare systems (Milstead, 2019). Many opportunities are offered to nurses to become educated in policymaking even though nurses struggle with assurance.
One opportunity for nurses to participate in policy evaluation is by collecting data. Nurses who gather data can participate in policy review by gathering information and knowledge to better
policy outcomes. Moreover, this is by joining a professional nursing organization like ANA. Nurses are called to engage in activities to advance the health agenda through policy research and advocacy (Gazarian et al., 2020).
Another opportunity is through the workplace. APRNs and RNs are responsible and capable of influencing the existing and prospective healthcare delivery systems. By ensuring that the policies promoted in their workplace are effective, APRNs and RNs stand a chance of influencing a policy review. A nurse can decline a given policy if it does not promote quality of care in their workplace by writing a request for the policy to be reviewed. The nurse can report the effectiveness of the policy as evaluation reports are vital, it holds nurses accountable (Laureate, 2018).
Joining a professional organization may present a challenge when it comes to membership. Many nurses are hesitant to join professional organizations because of the complexity of joining. By simplifying and establishing a well-understood membership process, this can be overcome. Another challenge in the workplace is that some nurses are not updated or well informed about the policy that is being proposed. In order to overcome this challenge, a workplace should be providing better information to healthcare professionals regarding the policy and the trending policies that are waiting for implementation.
Nurses should be fully engaged in policymaking and reform. One strategy is education and training. The nurse should have the requisite knowledge and skills. Nurses need access to well-thought-out policy training programs. Another strategy is policy research. Nurses can gain skills and be recognized as healthcare professionals with policy and advocacy skills.
References
Gazarian, P., Ballout, S., Heelan-Fancher, L., & Sundean, L. J. (2020). Theories, models, and frameworks used in nursing health policy dissertations: A scoping review. Applied Nursing Research, 151234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnr.2020.151234
Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). The Importance of Program Evaluation [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Opportunities for RNs and APRNs Two Opportunities for RNs and APRNs to Actively Participate in Policy-making
Active participation of nurses in policymaking fosters holistic service delivery and eliminates healthcare disparities. For RNs, one can be a chief nursing officer or a healthcare manager, whereas for APRNs, the two possible roles are clinical nurse specialist or a nurse practitioner. A chief nursing officer oversees the implementation of policies in the nursing department by planning, organizing, and directing healthcare services in an organization (Registered Nursing). On the other hand, a clinical nurse specialist provides leadership in community health to ensure that policies are enacted and the process of administering care promotes ethics, health, and advanced care practices for quality outcomes (American Nurses Association). Therefore, a chief nursing officer and a clinical nurse specialist participate in policymaking as their leadership roles inform the development of practices to improve healthcare delivery through stakeholder engagements.
Challenges Facing The Opportunities And Ways To Overcome
The success of the opportunities aligns with healthcare policies and practices that promote nursing excellence by addressing work environment concerns through health policy directives. According to American Nurses Association (ANA), the key challenge is the complex ethical issues that limit the advancement of the scope of practice and the elimination of manual patient handling. The issues cause barriers for all nurses across all specialties due to conflicting interests. In addition, nurses are prone to failing the nursing practices and social concerns of a patient, leading to inadequate care services (American Nurses Association). The ANA needs to integrate professionalism, champion improved healthcare regulations, and initiate healthcare systems and reforms that demonstrate the important issues facing healthcare today.
Two Strategies That Communicate the Existence of the Opportunities in Policy-making
In healthcare policymaking, the capacity to reinvent the chief nursing officer and a clinical specialist role aligns with enacting strategies that empower nurses to excel. Therefore, the American Nursing Association’s best strategy is the integration of advocacy and innovation in the workplace. For example, advocacy offers legislative proposals that improve patients’ needs, enable professionalism in their workplace, and provide collaborative care services in communities. The strategy nurtures nurses, improves leadership, and promotes responsive policymaking (Congress. Gov, 2022). Another strategy is innovation through educational and inspirational content (American Nursing Association). For instance, the practices allow the engagement of all leaders in a healthcare setting and provides funding opportunities that support creativity, transform healthcare services, and empower nurses’ ingenuity for a holistic outcome. Advocacy and innovation enlist creativity and ideas tailored to encourage career development and implementation of responsive legislation, leading to positive changes in nursing.
References
American Nurses Association. (n.d.). Advocacy. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/advocacy/
American Nurses Association. (n.d.). Advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/workforce/what-is-nursing/aprn/
American Nurses Association. (n.d.). Health policy. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/health-policy/
Congress. Gov. (2022). H.Res.674 – Expressing support for the designation of September 22, 2021, as “National Hispanic Nurses Day.” https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-resolution/674/text?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22RNs%22%2C%22RNs%22%5D%7D&r=1&s=1
Registered Nursing. (n.d.). Chief nursing officer. https://www.registerednursing.org/specialty/chief-nursing-officer/
Registered Nursing. (n.d.). Clinical nurse specialist. https://www.registerednursing.org/clinical-nurse-specialist/
Sample Answer for THE ROLE OF THE RN APRN IN POLICY-MAKING NURS 6050
Dr. Robin & classmates,
Nurses have frontline experience and expertise in patient care. Our insight into healthcare challenges, patient needs, and best practices is valuable when shaping policies prioritizing patient safety, quality of care, and positive health outcomes.
Policy-Making Opportunities
Registered Nurses (RNs) and Advance Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) have numerous opportunities to participate actively in policy-making. RNs and APRNs can join and actively engage with professional nursing associations and organizations. These groups often advocate for local, state, and national nursing-related policy changes. RNs and APRNs can also participate in legislative and regulatory processes by voicing their opinions and expertise to policymakers (American Nurses Association, 2017). This can involve meeting with elected officials, attending public hearings, and contributing to public comment periods on proposed healthcare-related policies. Active involvement in these processes helps ensure that the voices and perspectives of nurses are considered in shaping healthcare policies. By actively participating in policy-making through these opportunities, RNs and APRNs can play a vital role in shaping the future of healthcare and improving patient care.
Challenges to Opportunities
Some challenges to these opportunities include limited policy knowledge and understanding the intricacies of policy-making can be difficult for those unfamiliar with the process. To overcome this, nurses can attend workshops or training sessions on policy advocacy (Chiu et al., 2021). Nurses may also need more support and progress on their proposals. To overcome this, persistence is essential in policy advocacy, and nurses should continuously refine their messaging, engage in discussions, and seek alternative pathways (Chiu et al., 2021). By recognizing some challenges and taking proactive steps to overcome them, nurses can be more effective advocates for positive policy changes that advance healthcare and nursing practice.
Strategies to Better Advocate
To better advocate for these opportunities, nurses need to participate in networking and collaborating. Establish strong partnerships between nursing organizations, policy advocacy groups, and other healthcare stakeholders to amplify nurses’ collective voices in policy discussions. Facilitate networking events, online forums, and virtual meet-ups to connect nurses with policymakers, allowing them to share their expertise and insights directly (NurseJournal, 2022). Another strategy is to showcase accomplishments by highlighting the achievements of nurses who have made significant contributions to policy-making and showcase their success stories through articles, videos, and social media (NurseJournal, 2022). Sharing real-life examples of how nurses’ involvement in policy-making has led to positive changes in patient care, healthcare systems, and nursing practice.
References
American Nurses Association. (2017). Federal advocacy. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/advocacy/federal/
Chiu, P., Cummings, G. G., Thorne, S., & Schick-Makaroff, K. (2021). Policy advocacy and nursing organizations: A scoping review. Policy,
politics & nursing practice. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8600587/
NurseJournal. (2022). Professional networking in nursing. https://nursejournal.org/resources/networking-in-nursing/
Sample Response for THE ROLE OF THE RN APRN IN POLICY-MAKING NURS 6050
Response to Amber
Despite nursing being one of the most trusted professions, we need more voice in Congress. Occupations of the House of Representatives show only three nurses, while the Senate has 0 nurses represented (Gartley, 2022). As we learn, nurses could contribute to politics with distinct points of view, abilities, and knowledge that can start to mend our differences (Gartley, 2022). More confidence is needed to show up and have our voices heard. The writer has learned that a nurse is asked at least seven times before taking the initiative to run for a political seat. Nurses need reinforcement that they can improve public policy because they place health at the center of all decisions. The writer agrees that nurses can participate in seminars or classes on policy advocacy to build their skills to improve patients’ mental health and fuel social transformations within our legislation (Chiu et al., 2021).
Reference
Chiu, P., Cummings, G. G., Thorne, S., & Schick-Makaroff, K. (2021). Policy Advocacy and
Nursing Organizations: A Scoping Review. Policy, politics & nursing practice, 22(4), 271–291. https://doi.org/10.1177/1527154421105061
Gartley, C. E. (2022). Is there a nurse in the House? Or the Senate? American Nurse. https://www.myamericannurse.com/is-there-a-nurse-in-the-house-or-the-senate
Sample Response for THE ROLE OF THE RN APRN IN POLICY-MAKING NURS 6050
Hi Amber, great post.
It is baffling to understand that although there are numerous opportunities for nurses in policymaking, relatively few nurses still choose health policy as a career path. However, most nurses could shape health policy if they decided to be involved in health policy decisions. As the single largest group in healthcare worldwide, nurses are in an advantageous position to access the impacts of the policies firsthand on the patients they care for. In addition, nurses are positioned to witness the daily effects of politics on healthcare and the results of the policies implemented. Nurses are known to advocate for the needed change inside their nursing organizations, workplace, government agencies, through nursing organizations, or directly with elected officials and policymakers. As nurses, we all have a voice, and together we could enormously influence creating and enforcing health policies. Nurses from all states all over the US come together every year on Capitol Hill Days to sway the legislative environment in a way conducive to nurses and their course (How Nurses Can Shape Health Policy, 2021).
Several factors are limiting the participation of nurses in policy and politics. Some of these factors are inadequate skills, limited education in health policy, lack of awareness, etc. Regardless of those limitations, nurses are vital to developing and implementing healthcare policy. While nurses advocate individually at the bedside for the benefit of their patients, nurses should continue to be encouraged to extend their reach and influence to include policymaking decisions. To accomplish such milestones, nurses must be well-trained and educated to understand the basics of policymaking and act as advocates for healthcare policy. Nurses confident with their speaking abilities are more likely to involve themselves in policy advocacy roles and would be able to address their legislature when the opportunity arises. Such nurses also tend to understand their establishments’ daily policy activity and may know how policy is created in their organization. Policymaking is undoubtedly not easy; it is formidable, requiring all hands on deck from the design, development, and implementation. However, contributing one’s part in ensuring a conducive patient care environment and an effective workplace environment through policy change is worthwhile and rewarding for the nurse and their patients (Policy Advocacy Motivators and Barriers: Research Results and Applications | OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, n.d.)
References
How nurses can shape health policy. (2021b, March 15). University of North Carolina Wilmington Online. https://onlinedegree.uncw.edu/articles/nursing/how-nurses-shape-health-policy.aspx
Policy Advocacy Motivators and Barriers: Research Results and Applications | OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing. (n.d.). https://ojin.nursingworld.org/table-of-contents/volume-24-2019/number-3-september-2019/articles-on-previously-published-topics/policy-advocacy-motivators–barriers/
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