Discussion: Role of the RN APRN in Policy Evaluation Essay

RE: Discussion – Week 9

Primary opportunities for RNs and APRNs to effectively participate in policy review are through professional associations and the work place. RNs and APRNs belong to a variety of professional organizations such as the American Nurses Association (ANA), Emergency Nurses Association and the American Academy of Nursing. These organizations work as a support system for nurses and they make sure that the policies enforced are beneficial for the nurses.

Secondly, through the workplace RNs and APRNs as professionals have the responsibility and opportunity to influence policies that would enable them promote quality patient care. RNs and APRNs are professionals who can influence policies that would be effective in their work environments.They can provide a written request for a policy to be reevaluated if a policy does not promote quality patient care.

Some challenges that these opportunities may present are RNs and APRNs not being knowledgeable and updated about implemented policies, not being part of any professional organization due to the complexity of registration and lack of unity, initiative and leadership (American Nurses Association, 2010).

A strategy to better advocate for or communicate the existence of these opportunities are informing RNs and APRNS in a timely manner about policy changes, nurses need to work together, be united in order for their voices to be heard. Nurses should be provided adequate training to understand their roles, responsibilities and work environment in order to be effective professionals.

Opportunities should be provided for all RNs and APRNs to develop their leadership skills and involving them in the policy review process and professional organizations having a well-defined, simple registration system for nurses to follow when joining professional organizations.

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

References

American Nurses Association. (2010). Nursing’s social policy statement: The essence of the profession. Nursesbooks. org.

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

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.

By Day 3 of Week 9

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.

RE: Discussion – Week 9

Top of Form

    Evaluation is a familiar term to the nursing profession. One of the first things that a nurse is taught is the nursing process which includes assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Program or policy evaluation is no different, the same theory applies to assess the effectiveness of a specific program or policy (Milstead & Short, 2019). This evaluation is a vital part of policy development to determine the long-term effects of policy on populations, however it is sometimes overlooked (Laureate Education, 2018).

RN’s and APRN’s have a responsibility to their profession to advocate for health policy (Laureate Education, 2018). One way for them to become involved in evaluation of health policy is to form relationships with and educate political leaders so they understand the wealth of knowledge that an RN or APRN holds related to health policy. “The challenging work of the NP political advocate is to educate and demonstrate to powerful policy makers that supporting and advancing policies that promote better health and health care is in the best interest of the larger community” (Kostas-Polston, Thanavaro, Arvidson, & Taub, 2015).Gaining the trust of a political leader can help one gain access to become involved in policy evaluation. As the relationship grows between the nursing advocate and the political leader, the nurse will be recognized as a trusted source of impartial information and evaluation (Kostas-Polston et al., 2015).

Another avenue for participating in policy evaluation is to become part of a professional organization, such as the American Nurses Association (ANA). Many professional organizations, like the ANA, are involved in providing data to lawmakers during policy evaluation processes (Milstead & Short, 2019). Nurse advocates oftentimes become the voice of these healthcare changes. Keeping abreast of current health care policies and issues will allow for the nurse to step in and advocate for the nursing profession as well as patient safety and access to care.

Nurses must be prepared for challenges that exist with policy evaluation. One challenge could be gaining access to political leaders, as they have busy schedules. When requesting to meet with a legislator, it is possible that the nurse would be meeting with the legislative staff member. However, the legislative staff member is still influential and their job is to advise the legislator on research and issues (Kostas-Polston et al., 2015). The nurse should present her evaluation of the health policy to the legislative staff member and have a written evaluation to leave with them. An additional challenge to policy evaluation is sparking community comment on the results of the evaluation. Sometimes evaluations can bring to light other issues that will need to be addressed, changing the direction of the political agenda.

One strategy that I would recommend is incorporating health policy into all nursing education. Currently health policy is not part of the ADN curricula, however I believe that the foundation should be started here. Another strategy to enlighten nurses on involvement in health policy would be for nursing leaders to take initiative with their employees and teach them about health policy and advocacy. Health care organizations could make it part of a clinical ladder program or a yearly education requirement. Knowledgeable nurses need to promote the existence of political advocacy. Nurses should be involved in all stages of health care policy and are urged to use their expertise and their critical thinking to evaluate health policy for the betterment of society.

Reference

Kostas-Polston, E. A., Thanavaro, J., Arvidson, C., & Taub, L.-F. M. (2015). Advanced practice nursing:                shaping health through policy. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 27(1), 11–20. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1002/2327-6924.12192

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 (6^thed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Good job on your post!

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) mandates that policy is part of baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral nursing programs. Baccalaureate nursing programs usually focus on a basic understanding of how policy affects health care (Staebler, Campbell, Cornelius, Fallin-Bennet, Fry-Bowers, Kung, LaFevers, & Miller, 2017).  My undergraduate program incorporated policy into its curriculum, but it was not a separate class. The class combined ethics, law, economics, and health policy, so you can imagine how much focus was on health policy. Nursing education is vital to develop a nurse’s political understanding and to promote political advocacy (Pery & Emory, 2017). I agree with you that health policy should start at the ADN level. Perhaps if a solid foundation was built in my lower-level courses, then some assignments in this class wouldn’t have seemed so overwhelming.

References

Perry, C., & Emory, J. (2017). Advocacy through education. Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice, 18(3), 158-165. doi: 10.1177/1527154417734382

Staebler, S., Campbell, J., Cornelius, P., Fallin-Bennet, A., Fry-Bowers, E., Kung, Y., LaFevers, D., & Miller, J. (2017). Policy and political advocacy: Comparison study of nursing faculty to determine current practices, perceptions, and barriers to teaching health policy. Journal of Professional Nursing, (33)5, 350-355. doi: 10.1016/j.profnurs.2017.04.001

SAMPLE 2

RE: Discussion – Week 9

Primary opportunities for RNs and APRNs to effectively participate in policy review are through professional associations and the work place. RNs and APRNs belong to a variety of professional organizations such as the American Nurses Association (ANA), Emergency Nurses Association and the American Academy of Nursing. These organizations work as a support system for nurses and they make sure that the policies enforced are beneficial for the nurses.

Secondly, through the workplace RNs and APRNs as professionals have the responsibility and opportunity to influence policies that would enable them promote quality patient care. RNs and APRNs are professionals who can influence policies that would be effective in their work environments.They can provide a written request for a policy to be reevaluated if a policy does not promote quality patient care.

Some challenges that these opportunities may present are RNs and APRNs not being knowledgeable and updated about implemented policies, not being part of any professional organization due to the complexity of registration and lack of unity, initiative and leadership (American Nurses Association, 2010).

A strategy to better advocate for or communicate the existence of these opportunities are informing RNs and APRNS in a timely manner about policy changes, nurses need to work together, be united in order for their voices to be heard. Nurses should be provided adequate training to understand their roles, responsibilities and work environment in order to be effective professionals.

Opportunities should be provided for all RNs and APRNs to develop their leadership skills and involving them in the policy review process and professional organizations having a well-defined, simple registration system for nurses to follow when joining professional organizations.

References

American Nurses Association. (2010). Nursing’s social policy statement: The essence of the profession. Nursesbooks. org.

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

By Day 6 of Week 9

Respond to at least two of your colleagues* on two different days 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.

RE: Discussion – Week 9

Good job on your post. Being a member of a professional organization is a great place to have a voice in policy making and evaluation since there is strength in number. This means that from now on, we must strive to be voices that will be counted in and join as dues paying members of these organizations. The evaluation process begins as the policy is been crafted as the efficiency and effectiveness of the policy must be measured (Laureate education, 2018).

Challenges are part of any task that we embark on in real life. It is not different on a professional platform. Apart from challenges with political leaders, we may also face challenges with other professionals as noted with some states restricting APRNs’. To overcome such challenges, nurses must always remember that we are all fighting for a common purpose and remain focused on the goal.

Charity they say begins at home. Not many nurses advance to graduate program and not many nursing programs  either at associate or bachelor degree level lay strong emphasis on advocacy thereby loosing a significant number of nurses who desire to but do not have the educational background and insight as to what to do. Nursing advocacy I believe starts with us and our nursing schools. Not surprisingly, literature is scanty on teaching advocacy in nursing school.

References

Abood, S. (2007, Jan. 31). “Influencing Health Care in the Legislative Arena”. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing. 12(1), Manuscript 2. https://doi.org/10.3912/OJIN.Vol12No01Man02

Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). The Importance of Program Evaluation [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

*Note: Throughout this program, your fellow students are referred to as colleagues.

RE: Discussion – Week 9

Primary opportunities for RNs and APRNs to effectively participate in policy review are through professional associations and the work place. RNs and APRNs belong to a variety of professional organizations such as the American Nurses Association (ANA), Emergency Nurses Association and the American Academy of Nursing. These organizations work as a support system for nurses and they make sure that the policies enforced are beneficial for the nurses.

Secondly, through the workplace RNs and APRNs as professionals have the responsibility and opportunity to influence policies that would enable them promote quality patient care. RNs and APRNs are professionals who can influence policies that would be effective in their work environments.They can provide a written request for a policy to be reevaluated if a policy does not promote quality patient care.

Some challenges that these opportunities may present are RNs and APRNs not being knowledgeable and updated about implemented policies, not being part of any professional organization due to the complexity of registration and lack of unity, initiative and leadership (American Nurses Association, 2010).

A strategy to better advocate for or communicate the existence of these opportunities are informing RNs and APRNS in a timely manner about policy changes, nurses need to work together, be united in order for their voices to be heard. Nurses should be provided adequate training to understand their roles, responsibilities and work environment in order to be effective professionals.

Opportunities should be provided for all RNs and APRNs to develop their leadership skills and involving them in the policy review process and professional organizations having a well-defined, simple registration system for nurses to follow when joining professional organizations.

References

American Nurses Association. (2010). Nursing’s social policy statement: The essence of the profession. Nursesbooks. org.

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

The Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation.

Evaluation of a process or policies helps hold nurses and politicians accountable (Laureate Education (Producer, 2018). Without evaluating a process, it’s difficult to tell if its effective or not for the intended use. During evaluation, it gives opportunity us the opportunity to go back to the drawing board to know why a process failed or what need to be added to make it work.

Nurses influence on health policy through policy evaluation, protects the quality of care by access to required resources. Access to healthcare policy helps nurses to be aware of the happenings in healthcare policy including within their State (Laureate Education, 2018). This kind of knowledge will help nurses to provide effective feedback to employers or Government to help provide good shape for health policies and programs. For example, a nurse can book appointment with their local legislators to present an evaluation report on a program/policy with a focus on measurable outcomes and the policies effectiveness while offering their expert opinion on the policy.

While these opportunities give nurses upper hand in policy review, they can present challenges to the nurses. Some of the challenges faced during the process on policy review are to a large extent under the control of researchers, reviewers, and funding organizations (Glasgow R. et.all 2003). For example, the RN’S/APRN’s may find it difficult to obtain required or comparative resources for a policy or program that has been implemented, particularly when it’s a new policy that lack appropriate data for comparison (Milstead & Short, 2019). Nurses also face challenges of limited resources to complete the evaluation of a program/ Policy. These challenges can make it difficult to evaluate the outcome and impact of a policy or program.

Nurses can try to find evidence-based data and information related to policy or conduct new studies to combat such lack of Data. The nurse can also request for funding / scholarship to enable them to get enough resources to conduct policy evaluation.

As an RN, I will recommend the incorporation of health policy advocacy/evaluation as a course in the nursing curriculum that nursing students should complete before getting their licenses.

Secondly, I may consider using social media platforms to run the campaign on the opportunities available on the opportunities available for nurses to participate in policy evaluation. Campaigns and advertisements can be carried out on social media platforms such as twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and blogs. Additionally, nursing associations and organizations can also use their websites, online-chat platforms or webinars to advocate for these opportunities among nurses and inform nurses of the policies and programs that need to be evaluated so that nurses can provide the individual expert opinion on the policies and programs.

References

Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Program Policy and 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.

Glasgow, R. E., Lichtenstein, E., & Marcus, A. C. (2003). Why Don’t We See More Translation of Health Promotion Research to Practice? Rethinking the Efficacy-to-Effectiveness Transition. American Journal of Public Health, 93(8), 1261–1267. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.2105/AJPH.93.8.1261

Name: NURS_6050_Module05_Week09_Discussion_Rubric

Name: NURS_6050_Module05_Week09_Discussion_Rubric