NURS 6050 week 8 Discussion: The Role of the RN/APRN in Policy-Making

NURS 6050 week 8 Discussion: The Role of the RN/APRN in Policy-Making

RNs and APRNs have several opportunities to actively participate in policy-making. The first opportunity is through the process of commenting on government regulations and policies. Nurses can engage in this by staying informed about current policies, regulations, and legislative proposals related to healthcare. When these opportunities arise, nurses can provide their input, insights, and suggestions through letters, online feedback, or public comments. This allows nurses to contribute their valuable perspective and expertise, ensuring that healthcare policies align with the best interests of both patients and the profession (Carlson, 2012).

The second opportunity for RNs and APRNs is to actively educate lawmakers about healthcare-related issues. This can be achieved by nurses reaching out to their local and national legislators and offering insights into the challenges and complexities of healthcare. Often, lawmakers lack in-depth knowledge of the healthcare system, and nurses can bridge this gap by providing them with comprehensive information. By sharing real-life experiences and facts, nurses can help lawmakers make more informed decisions when shaping healthcare policies (Schaeffer & Haebler, 2019).

Challenges and Strategies to Overcome Them

Engaging in policy-making can pose challenges, such as the need for in-depth knowledge of complex regulations and policies. To overcome this challenge, nurses should focus on continuing education and staying updated on relevant topics. By enhancing their understanding of healthcare policies, they can contribute more effectively to the policy-making process (Lewinski & Simmons, 2019).

Another challenge is that lawmakers may not fully comprehend healthcare and health policy. To address this challenge, nurses can proactively seek meetings with their representatives and engage in discussions to educate them about healthcare issues. Sharing personal experiences and evidence-based information can help bridge the knowledge gap and enable lawmakers to make informed decisions regarding healthcare policies.

Recommendations for Better Advocacy and Communication

To better advocate for these opportunities and communicate their existence, nurses can consider the following strategies:

1. Joining Professional Organizations: Encourage nurses to become members of professional nursing organizations. These organizations often have lobbying efforts and can influence policy-making at local, national, and international levels. By being part of such organizations, nurses can actively contribute to shaping healthcare policies. For instance, the American Nurses Association (ANA) successfully lobbied for the Nurse and Healthcare Worker Protection Act, highlighting the impact of nurses’ collective voice in policy-making (Milstead & Short, 2019).

2. Participating in Hospital Committees: Nurses can get involved in committees within their healthcare facilities, such as safety committees. These committees focus on evaluating safety issues within hospitals and advocating for evidence-based policy changes. By actively participating in such committees, nurses can have a direct impact on policy-making at the facility level, ultimately contributing to safer and more effective patient care (Lavenberg et al., 2019).

In conclusion, nurses, including RNs and APRNs, have valuable opportunities to actively participate in policy-making and shape healthcare policies at various levels. By addressing the challenges and implementing strategies to overcome them, nurses can play a pivotal role in advocating for policies that benefit both patients and the nursing profession.

References:

– Carlson, E.S. (2012). How to comment on government regulations. American Nurse Today, 7(7), 34-36. Retrieved from https://www.nursingworld.org/~4ae1d2/globalassets/docs/ana/ant7-regulation-626.pdf

– Lewinski, A.A. & Simmons, L.A. (2019). Nurse knowledge and engagement in health policy making: Findings from a pilot study. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 49(9), 407-415. http://dx.doi.org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.3928/00220124-20180813-06

– Schaeffer, R. & Haebler, J. (2019). Nurse leaders: Extending your policy influence. Nurse Leader, 17(4), 340-343. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1016/j.mnl.2019.05.010

– Lavenberg, J. G., Cacchione, P. Z., Jayakumar, K. L., Leas, B. F., Mitchell, M. D., Mull, N. K., & Umscheid, C. A. (2019). Impact of a Hospital Evidence‐Based Practice Center (EPC) on Nursing Policy and Practice. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 16(1), 4–11. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1111/wvn.12346

– Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Discussion Board: The Role of the RN/APRN in Policymaking

Post an explanation of at least two opportunities for RNs and APRNs to participate in policymaking actively. 

Registered nurses and advanced practice nurses can participate in policy making in two ways. Nurses can be involved in the policy design process and research regarding health services (Milstead & Short, 2019). When participating in the policy design process, nurses are considered professional experts and are often asked to consult on committees to assist policymakers in drafting new legislation (Milstead & Short, 2019). Nurses involved with professional nursing organizations are also able to advocate for change, such as allowing advanced practice nurses to operate with full practice authority in a particular state. Nurses can also bring social issues in healthcare to policymakers who, before this, may not have been aware the issue existed (Milstead & Short, 2019)NURS 6050 week 8 Discussion: The Role of the RN/APRN in Policy-Making.

Health services research focuses on multiple areas of the healthcare industry. Milstead & Short (2019) noted that health services research specifically related to the field of nursing could assist in improving quality of care, access to care, and patient safety. Nurses involved in research can assist policymakers in identifying problems, estimating the cost of potential change, and assist with identifying the risk versus the benefit of the change overall (Milstead & Short, 2019). This information is essential to consider as the goal is to achieve patient safety and the best patient outcomes possible for the community that is being served.

Explain some of the challenges that these opportunities may present and describe how you might overcome these challenges.

The most common challenge that policymakers face is their budget. However, nurses can bring social issues to the forefront of the policy discussion when considering a policy change. It is essential to consider the cost of the change (Barzegar et al., 2020). How much is the new policy going to cost? How will the policy change impact the way the hospitals function or spend their funds? Governments need to know how their new policy will impact the healthcare system and the citizens they serve (Barzegar et al., 2020). Health research is an integral part of determining the cost of the policy change and looking for the most cost-effective way to implement it (Milstead & Short, 2019) NURS 6050 week 8 Discussion: The Role of the RN/APRN in Policy-Making .

Abortion Presidential Agendas Discussion Essay

Finally, recommend two strategies you might make to better advocate for or communicate these opportunities to participate in policymaking. Be specific and provide examples.

Nurses have the option to obtain membership in a professional nursing organization. As a member of a professional organization, nurses have the opportunity to assist with lobbying efforts for legislation. An example of a topic that has been at the forefront of nursing issues is the Nurse and Healthcare Worker Protection Act that was introduced to the 114^th Congress (2015-2017) (Milstead & Short, 2019). This act was the result of lobbying completed by the American Nurses Association (ANA).  This legislation requires employers to purchase and maintain equipment to assist in lifting and transferring patients to protect nurses and nursing support staff from injury (Milstead & Short, 2019). Nurses should communicate to their colleagues who are members of their specific organization to get involved with lobbying efforts to assist with policy formation.

Nurses can also get involved in their own organization’s committees to help influence policy-making within their facility. Many committees exist within a hospital to help shape policy and review evidence-based practices (Lavenberg et al., 2019). One example would be joining the facility’s safety committee. This committee looks at the safety issues in the hospital. It works to determine ways to prevent the safety issue from re-occurring and advocate for policy changes based on evidence-based practices (Lavenberg et al., 2019) NURS 6050 week 8 Discussion: The Role of the RN/APRN in Policy-Making.

References

Barzegar Safari, M., Bahadori, M., & Alimohammadzadeh, K. (2020). The Related Factors of Nurses’ Participation and Perceived Benefits and Barriers in Health Policy Making. The Journal of Nursing Research : JNR, 28(4), e103. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1097/jnr.0000000000000385

Lavenberg, J. G., Cacchione, P. Z., Jayakumar, K. L., Leas, B. F., Mitchell, M. D., Mull, N. K., & Umscheid, C. A. (2019). Impact of a Hospital Evidence‐Based Practice Center (EPC) on Nursing Policy and Practice. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 16(1), 4–11. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1111/wvn.12346

Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6^th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

 

Discussion 2: The Role of the RN/APRN in Policy-Making

By Day 3 of Week 8

By Day 6 of Week 8

response

I agree with you that a lack of education is a crucial factor in why nurses do not get involved in policy-making.  The absence of knowledge hinders the progressive growth of the nursing profession.  You are also correct in your viewpoint that the changes made are by non-nursing individuals (Brokaw, 2016).  While it may be frustrating, we as a profession need to accept more accountability.  We should encourage each other as nurses to become more involved in policy and change.  My union president always encouraged me to come to meetings and to get involved.  Her rationale was we looked much stronger and more unified.  Also, the larger the turnout, the more serious we appeared to the politicians or other constituents we were appealing to NURS 6050 week 8 Discussion: The Role of the RN/APRN in Policy-Making.

Getting involved in professional organizations is another excellent point.  I am guilty of being a member of many organizations yet not been actively engaged in any.  As nurses, we “can play an influential role in health policy-making at local, national, and international levels” if we become more involved (Rasheed, Younas, & Mehdi , 2020).  I read the articles or attend the webinars for CEUs, but I have not to advocate or attend any rallies.

References

Ahmed, M. H. (2018, July). Reflection for the undergraduate on writing in the portfolio: where are we now and where are we going? Journal of advances in medical education & professionalism, 6(3), 97 – 101. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6039822/

Brokaw, J. J. (2016, September 22). The nursing profession’s potential impact on policy and politics. Retrieved from American Nurses: https://www.myamericannurse.com/nursing-professions-potential-impact-policy-politics

Rasheed, S. P., Younas, A., & Mehdi , F. (2020, May 25). 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 – 455. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.12567 NURS 6050 week 8 Discussion: The Role of the RN/APRN in Policy-Making