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Instructions of NURS-6050N-27 4-2 Discussion: The Role of the Rn/Aprn in Policy-Making
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.
RESOURCES
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
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.
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
Step-By-Step Guide NURS-6050N-27 4-2 Discussion: The Role of the Rn/Aprn in Policy-Making
INTRODUCTION TO NURS 6050 4-2 DISCUSSION
This NURS-6050N-27 4-2 Discussion: The Role of the Rn/Aprn in Policy-Making assignment involves writing a discussion post that explores the role of Registered Nurses (RNs) and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in policy-making. You will identify opportunities for nurses to participate in policy-making, discuss challenges they might face, and recommend strategies to better advocate for these opportunities. This Owlisdom exercise aims to enhance your understanding of how nurses can influence health policy and improve healthcare delivery.
- Highlight the importance of RNs and APRNs participating in policy-making to improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.
Nurses, encompassing both Registered Nurses (RNs) and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), play a pivotal role in healthcare not only as caregivers but also as key stakeholders in health policy development. Their direct interaction with patients and firsthand insights into the healthcare system equip them uniquely to influence policy-making effectively.
Post an explanation of at least two opportunities that exist for RNs and APRNs to actively participate in policy-making.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR RNS AND APRNS IN POLICY-MAKING
- Review resources like Congress.gov to understand the current policy landscape.
- Identify at least two opportunities for RNs and APRNs to participate in policy-making.
- Provide specific examples of how nurses can engage in these opportunities.
Example
One significant opportunity for RNs and APRNs in policy-making is through membership and active participation in professional nursing organizations. These organizations often have policy committees or special interest groups focused on healthcare legislation (Chiu et al., 2021). By joining these groups, nurses can contribute to position statements or recommendations that directly influence health policy at local, state, and national levels. For instance, the American Nurses Association (ANA) regularly lobbies for policy changes that promote patient welfare and nursing practices.
Another pathway is through direct involvement in governmental advisory boards or task forces that focus on health policy. Nurses can apply for positions on these boards, bringing their clinical expertise to the policy-making process. It is crucial in shaping effective health policies that reflect real-world clinical settings and patient needs.
Explain some of the challenges that these opportunities may present and describe how you might overcome these challenges.
EXPLAINING CHALLENGES AND OVERCOMING THEM
- Identify common challenges, such as lack of time and expertise.
- Suggest ways to overcome these challenges, such as further education and institutional support.
Example
However, these opportunities come with challenges. The lack of time due to demanding work schedules and the need for substantial expertise in both healthcare and legislative processes are significant barriers. To overcome these, nurses can pursue further education in health policy or public health to prepare themselves for these roles. Additionally, healthcare institutions can support nursing involvement in policy-making by providing time allowances or incentives for those who engage in policy activities.
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.
RECOMMENDING ADVOCACY AND COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES
- Suggest at least two strategies for advocating and communicating these opportunities.
- Provide specific examples of how to implement these strategies.
Example
To advocate for and communicate these opportunities effectively, two strategies are paramount. First, professional nursing organizations should actively promote the success stories of nurses who have influenced policy using platforms like social media, webinars, and conferences. It can inspire and educate nurses about the impact they can have beyond the bedside. Second, nursing education programs should incorporate policy education into their curricula, equipping future nurses with the knowledge and skills needed to engage in policy-making from the outset of their careers (Thomas et al., 2020). By embedding the importance of policy-making in nursing training, the profession can enhance its influence in health policy development, ensuring nurses are not only participants but leaders in shaping healthcare legislation.
REFERENCES
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), 276–296.
https://doi.org/10.1177/15271544211050611
Thomas, T., Martsolf, G., & Puskar, K. (2020). How to engage nursing students in health policy: Results of a survey assessing students’ competencies, experiences, interests, and values. Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice, 21(1), 12–20.
Respond to at least two of your colleagues’ posts by suggesting additional opportunities or recommendations for overcoming the challenges described by your colleagues.
RESPONSES
- Provide thoughtful responses to at least two colleagues’ posts.
- Support or challenge their explanations with evidence and examples.
Example
Hello Gazelle,
You have raised an important point about the intimidation nurses might feel towards the complexity of policy-making. To further bridge this gap, additional opportunities for nurses to engage in policy-making could include structured mentorship programs within these associations. Experienced policy-making nurses could mentor newcomers, providing guidance and building confidence in their advocacy skills. Moreover, nursing associations could develop short, targeted training programs or workshops focused on specific areas of health policy. These programs would be designed to be accessible and manageable even for those with busy schedules, helping nurses gain the necessary skills and knowledge incrementally. Over time, these initiatives could demystify the policy-making process, making it more approachable for everyday practitioners.
Hi Moore,
You have raised an important point about the intimidation nurses might feel towards the complexity of policy-making. To further bridge this gap, additional opportunities for nurses to engage in policy-making could include structured mentorship programs within these associations. Experienced policy-making nurses could mentor newcomers, providing guidance and building confidence in their advocacy skills. Moreover, nursing associations could develop short, targeted training programs or workshops focused on specific areas of health policy. These programs would be designed to be accessible and manageable even for those with busy schedules, helping nurses gain the necessary skills and knowledge incrementally. Over time, these initiatives could demystify the policy-making process, making it more approachable for everyday practitioners.
CLOSING
By following NURS-6050N-27 4-2 Discussion: The Role of the Rn/Aprn in Policy-Making these guidelines, you can effectively analyze and discuss the role of RNs and APRNs in policy-making, demonstrating a thorough understanding of how nurses can influence health policy. This process enhances the ability to advocate for patients and contribute to the development of effective healthcare policies. In the next module of NURS-6050N-27, we will explore the 4-3 INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT.
