Discussion: Policy & Advocacy for Improving Population Health
In the Module 4 Discussion, you considered how professional nurses can become involved in policy-making. A critical component of any policy design is evaluation of the results. How comfortable are you with the thought of becoming involved with such matters?
Some nurses may be hesitant to get involved with policy evaluation. The preference may be to focus on the care and well-being of their patients; some nurses may feel ill-equipped to enter the realm of policy and political activities. However, as you have examined previously, who better to advocate for patients and effective programs and polices than nurses? Already patient advocates in interactions with doctors and leadership, why not with government and regulatory agencies?
In this Discussion, you will reflect on the role of professional nurses in policy evaluation.
- In the Module 4 Discussion, you considered how professional nurses can become involved in policy-making.
- Review the Resources and reflect on the role of professional nurses in policy evaluation.
Post an explanation of at least two opportunities that currently exist for RNs and APRNs to actively participate in policy review. 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. Be specific and provide examples.
APA format, 3 credible sources within 5 years. This discussion follows from the discussion in module 4. previous work is provided below, please look through the rubric. Thank you
Discussion: Policy & Advocacy for Improving Population Health
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Rubric Detail Select Grid View or List View to change the rubric’s layout. Name: NURS_6050_Module05_Week09_Discussion_Rubric Grid View EXIT List View Main Posting Excellent Good Fair Poor 45 (45%) – 50 (50%) 40 (40%) – 44 (44%) 35 (35%) – 39 (39%) 0 (0%) – 34 (34%) Answers all parts of the discussion question(s) expectations with re!ective critical analysis and synthesis of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module and current credible sources. Responds to the discussion question(s) and is re!ective with critical analysis and synthesis of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module. Responds to some of the discussion question(s). Does not respond to the discussion question(s) adequately. Supported by at least three current, credible sources. Written clearly and concisely with no grammatical or spelling errors and fully adheres to current APA manual writing rules and style. At least 75% of post has exceptional depth and breadth. Supported by at least three credible sources. Written clearly and concisely with one or no grammatical or spelling errors and fully adheres to current APA manual writing rules and style. One or two criteria are not addressed or are super”cially addressed. Is somewhat lacking re!ection and critical analysis and synthesis. Somewhat represents knowledge gained from the course readings for the module. Post is cited with two credible sources. Written somewhat concisely; may contain more than two spelling or grammatical errors. Discussion: Policy & Advocacy for Improving Population Health
Contains some APA formatting errors. Lacks depth or super”cially addresses criteria. Lacks re!ection and critical analysis and synthesis. Does not represent knowledge gained from the course readings for the module. Contains only one or no credible sources. Not written clearly or concisely. Contains more than two spelling or grammatical errors. Does not adhere to current APA manual writing rules and style. Main Post: Timeliness 10 (10%) – 10 (10%) 0 (0%) – 0 (0%) 0 (0%) – 0 (0%) Posts main post by day 3. First Response 0 (0%) – 0 (0%) Does not post by day 3. 17 (17%) – 18 (18%) 15 (15%) – 16 (16%) 13 (13%) – 14 (14%) 0 (0%) – 12 (12%) Response exhibits synthesis, critical thinking, and application to practice settings. Response exhibits critical thinking and application to practice settings. Response is on topic and may have some depth. Response may not be on topic and lacks depth. Discussion: Policy & Advocacy for Improving Population Health
Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues. Responses posted in the discussion may lack e#ective professional communication. Responses posted in the discussion lack e#ective professional communication. Responses to faculty questions are answered, if posed. Responses to faculty questions are somewhat answered, if posed. Responses to faculty questions are missing. Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by two or more credible sources. Response may lack clear, concise opinions and ideas, and a few or no credible sources are cited. Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues. Responses to faculty questions are fully answered, if posed. Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by at least two scholarly sources. Demonstrates synthesis and understanding of learning objectives. No credible sources are cited. Response is e#ectively written in standard, edited English. Response is e#ectively written in standard, edited English. Second Response 16 (16%) – 17 (17%) 14 (14%) – 15 (15%) 12 (12%) – 13 (13%) 0 (0%) – 11 (11%) Response exhibits synthesis, critical thinking, and application to practice settings. Response exhibits critical thinking and application to practice settings. Response is on topic and may have some depth. Response may not be on topic and lacks depth. Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues. Responses posted in the discussion may lack e#ective professional communication. Responses posted in the discussion lack e#ective professional communication. Responses to faculty questions are answered, if posed. Responses to faculty questions are somewhat answered, if posed. Responses to faculty questions are missing. Discussion: Policy & Advocacy for Improving Population Health
Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by two or more credible sources. Response may lack clear, concise opinions and ideas, and a few or no credible sources are cited. Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues. Responses to faculty questions are fully answered, if posed. Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by at least two scholarly sources. Demonstrates synthesis and understanding of learning objectives. No credible sources are cited. Response is e#ectively written in standard, edited English. Discussion: Policy & Advocacy for Improving Population Health
Response is e#ectively written in standard, edited English. Participation 5 (5%) – 5 (5%) 0 (0%) – 0 (0%) Meets requirements for participation by posting on three di#erent days. 0 (0%) – 0 (0%) 0 (0%) – 0 (0%) Does not meet requirements for participation by posting on 3 di#erent days. Total Points: 100 Name: NURS_6050_Module05_Week09_Discussion_Rubric EXIT Running head: THE ROLE OF RNS AND APRNS IN POLICY-MAKING The role of RNs and APRNs in policy-making Institution Affiliation Date 1 THE ROLE OF RNS AND APRNS IN POLICY-MAKING 2 Introduction Registered nurses (RNs) and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) play a critical role in policy-making due to their direct interaction with patients. These professional nurses have a first-hand experience of some of the issues and gaps in nursing that require changes. Therefore their contribution is critical to ensure that the right policies are enforced based on the expected outcomes. However, nurses should be prepared to encounter policymaking challenges, such as lack of support from other legislative bodies. The opportunities that exist for RNs and APRNs to actively participate in policymaking One of the opportunities for Registered Nurses (RNs) and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) is to engage in the policy review process with key stakeholders. These professional nurses are required to participate in the evaluation process of analyzing policies. The opportunity will allow them to work with other nursing experts such as the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) (Safari, Bahadori and Alimohammadzadeh, 2020). Secondly, RNs and APRNs can actively participate in policy-making. Discussion: Policy & Advocacy for Improving Population Health
It is an opportunity to introduce innovations such as implementing a chair alarm systems for patients at risk of falling. During the policy analysis meeting, the rate of patient falls, and its causes should be assessed. It allows RNs and APRNs to have a direct influence on policymaking. The challenges that these opportunities may present Policymaking can pose challenges for involved Registered nurses and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (Safari, Bahadori and Alimohammadzadeh, 2020). The first opportunity can become complicated due to working with professionals from other legislative bodies. Their THE ROLE OF RNS AND APRNS IN POLICY-MAKING 3 views on policies may differ due to the different nursing agencies and backgrounds. The legislative groups, such as ANA and AACN, do not have direct interaction with patients. It may create disagreements in policy-making meetings. Therefore, some of the ideas presented by the RNs and APRNs can be disregarded or questioned. Discussion: Policy & Advocacy for Improving Population Health
However, these challenges can be overcome by providing moral support to coworkers in the nursing field. Both the RNs and APRNs workers should encourage each other to work professionally and ethically in their practice and policy analysis involvement. The second opportunity can become challenging since introducing a new policy in the unit can encounter some members’ resistance. Fear of change among participants is an issue that the RNs and APRNs must overcome. However, the nurses can address this challenge through adequate preparation and presentation of expected outcomes. The new policy can be implemented and voted for if its benefits are made clear to the members. Recommendation to better advocate for the existence of these opportunities to participate in policymaking One of the strategies to recommend for better advocacy of these opportunities in policymaking is attending seminars. I would suggest for the Registered nurses and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses to participate in seminars on a local and national level to understand policy evaluation processes. This technique will help in empowering and educating professional nurses in policy decision making. Besides, through seminars, RNs and APRNs will obtain a more in-depth insight into other nursing legislative agencies and their contributions to designing policies (Wichaikhum et al. 2020). Another strategy is to use social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. Through these sites, nurses will form interpersonal relationships with some of the members in the meetings. It is beneficial for moral support during the suggestion of new ideas. Discussion: Policy & Advocacy for Improving Population Health
For example, when presenting a chair alarmed system’s new policies, the Registered THE ROLE OF RNS AND APRNS IN POLICY-MAKING 4 nurses and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses are more likely to be backed by their colleagues due to personal relations. Conclusion Nurses should be more engaged in policy review and implementation. Those policies will impact their services to patients and the quality of their performance in hospitals. Besides, Registered nurses and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses have direct interaction with clients; hence their contribution is vital for organizational success and improvement. Nurses should be free to present new policies for implementation and be protected from discrimination by some legislative bodies. THE ROLE OF RNS AND APRNS IN POLICY-MAKING 5 References Safari, M. B., Bahadori, M., & Alimohammadzadeh, K. (2020). The Related Factors of Nurses’ Participation and Perceived Benefits and Barriers in Health Policy-Making. Journal of Nursing Research, 28(4), e103. Wichaikhum, O., Abhicharttibutra, K., Nantsupawat, A., Kowitlawakul, Y., & Kunaviktikul, W. (2020). Developing a strategic model of participation in policy development for nurses. International Nursing Review, 67(1), 11-18. …Discussion: Policy & Advocacy for Improving Population Health