Policy and Advocacy for Improving Public Health
ANSWER:
Nurses constitute the largest workforce in the health sector, which places them in better positions to influence change in the rapidly developing world. In the evolving health care system, nurses need to advance their roles and participate in the formulation of policies compared to their previous role that involved implementing policies and procedures. Therefore, nurses, and especially RNs, need to be active and strive to be better positioned to influence policy development to control the nursing practice better. RNs need to harness their policy-making skills and, more so, capitalize on their professional ethics, experiences, advocacy skills, and values, which makes them unique and valuable towards the development of policies. RNs are better positioned to identify health issues and work with policymakers such as politicians to advance health care practice, which affects caregivers, patients, families, the community, and the whole healthcare system (Lucatorto, Thomas & Siek, 2016). APRNs and RNs need to identify the available opportunities or platforms they can use to impact policies. This paper will focus on some existing avenues in which RNs can capitalize on the policy review.
Some of the ways RNs can impact policies include enrolling to be a member of a state or county health department boards, be active in professional organizations, volunteer in policy-related meetings or activities, serve in councils, committees, and leadership areas that have decision-making power. Another approach is to be active in publishing papers, editorials, position statements that can educate policymakers and the public on health matters (Woodward, Smart & Benavides-Vaello, 2016). Professional organizations such as ANA provides nurses with the platform to review given policies, and with the help of other members, it can be more comfortable to push them as far as the implementation part. The other method of volunteering or participating in health department boards, policy-related meetings, and committees that influence health policies, for example, in county governments. Such a platform offers the RN the opportunity to create relationships and even persuade political leaders to consider given health policies, including funding (Woodward, Smart & Benavides-Vaello, 2016). It is also possible for RNs to make an impact through publications and writings that are informative, persuasive, and convincing in educating lawmakers and the public on required health policies and changes in practice. That way, the public can pressure policymakers to make changes, or lawmakers can feel obligated to improve healthcare systems.
However, there are challenges that nurses face when trying to use the above means to influence policies. For example, the political influence and forces make it hard to provide nurses with the platform to present their ideas and thoughts with only known members and accomplices of the politicians being favored (Woodward, Smart & Benavides-Vaello, 2016). RNs have enhanced communication skills and approaches that they can use to develop relationships with the stakeholders in leadership positions. With time, they may gain the trust to participate in meetings. RNs should not appear as if they are opposing the system but structure their impact in a way that the politicians will see them as opportunities for development and as a plan to retain their positions (Woodward, Smart & Benavides-Vaello, 2016). The other challenge is that some nurses complain of difficulties and complexities in joining nursing professional groups, which makes them despair and forego such efforts. The challenge can be remedied by loosening the restrictions and creating a process that is easy to follow and understand in registration processes to professional organizations.On the other hand, publishing writings and reports on health matters can be expensive to an individual. Still, such issues can be overcome by collaborating with professional organizations, which may offer incentives and platform to reach a wider audience. The other way is to use social media platforms that are free and reach a wider audience.
Implementing changes and influencing policies is lengthy and begins with letting caregivers understand the available opportunities to influence policies. The primary ways in which can be recommended is through education, training, and proper leadership (Ellenbecker et al., 2017). With the right training, nurses can understand their advocacy roles, avenues to use, how to maneuver through, and ways to present their policies. Through training, nurses are enlightened on the need to support one another and uplift colleagues to advance the profession and nursing practice. Those already in leadership positions should be reachable to those accessing them, provide a listening ear, and offer the platform for them to be heard in professional organizations, health boards, and political committees. Proper leadership skills are essential to upcoming leaders for the prosperity of the health system.
References
Ellenbecker, C. H., Fawcett, J., Jones, E. J., Mahoney, D., Rowlands, B., & Waddell, A. (2017). A staged approach to educating nurses in health policy. Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice, 18(1), 44-56.
Lucatorto, M. A., Thomas, T. W., & Siek, T. (2016). Registered nurses as caregivers: Influencing the system as patient advocates. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 21(3).
Woodward, B., Smart, D., & Benavides-Vaello, S. (2016). Modifiable factors that support political participation by nurses. Journal of Professional Nursing, 32(1), 54-61.
QUESTION:
The Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation
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.
To Prepare:
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.
