Discussion Leigh Ashley – Week 9 Collapse Top Of F ✓ Solved

Discussion 1leigh Ashleyre Discussion Week 9collapsetop Of Formmain

Many nursing professionals hesitate to get involved in either policy-making or policy evaluation due to the lack of confidence in preparedness or knowledge. In opposition, the Institute of Medicine believes that “nurses were vital to the redesign of healthcare systems, needed to be viewed as partners of physicians and other healthcare providers, and needed to be ‘at the table’ to ensure effective planning, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of healthcare policies” (Milstead & Short, 2019). Even though nurses struggle with assurance, many opportunities are offered to become educated in policy evaluation.

Opportunities for policy evaluation in the nursing profession are presented at the state and national levels. Joining state nursing associations presents nurses with the opportunity to gain knowledge of policymaking and evaluation. Through attending conferences, connecting with other members throughout your state, lobbying, speaking to the media on nurses' behalf, protecting your state’s Nursing Practice Act, and advocating allows nurses to advance their policy evaluation knowledge (Arkansas Registered Nurses Association, 2020). Even though there are many benefits, challenges are also exposed. Due to an increased workload of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) and Registered Nurses (RNs), being part of either state or national level associations presents challenges that may be overcome with proper time management.

Another opportunity for the professional nursing community is the ability to reach out to local and federal legislation. “Working with your elected representatives on smaller nursing issues related to your experience builds credibility so they'll be more likely to turn to you when they're looking for resources for larger nursing issues” (Oestberg, 2013). By sharing personal experiences and evidence-based practice research with members of legislation, nurses can assist in policy evaluation through checking the value, effectiveness, and impact (Oestberg, 2013). Challenges that may be presented are the inability to contact local and federal legislation and differing opinions.

If unable to contact members of legislation, forming relationships with your organization’s policymakers, administration, or educational coordinators may help in communication. To grow nursing professionals' knowledge and confidence, they need to be informed of available opportunities. Encouragement from administration, management, and educational coordinators would enable practicing RNs and APRNs to advocate for their healthcare profession.

Paper For Above Instructions

In the evolving landscape of healthcare, nursing professionals play a pivotal role not just in direct patient care but also in influencing healthcare policy and system reforms. Despite the critical importance of nursing voices in policy-making, many nurses experience hesitance due to perceived lack of knowledge or confidence in engaging with policy evaluation processes. This essay compares and contrasts the opportunities available for RNs and APRNs to engage in policy review and evaluation, analyzing the benefits, challenges, and the role of organizational support in fostering active participation.

Opportunities in Policy Engagement for Nurses

The foremost avenue for nurses to participate actively in health policy development is through membership in professional organizations such as the American Nurses Association (ANA) and state nursing associations. These organizations serve as platforms for nurses to access resources, attend educational seminars, and collaborate with peers and policymakers (Matthews, 2012). For instance, the ANA collaborates with lobbyists and legislative bodies to advocate for nursing issues, thereby amplifying nurses' influence in policy formulation (Matthews, 2012). State nurses associations further empower nurses by involving them in evaluating healthcare policies at regional levels, enabling them to influence legislation that directly affects their practice settings.

Similar to organizational participation, engagement with local and federal legislative bodies offers another critical pathway for nurses to influence health policies. Building relationships with legislators through advocacy and sharing evidence-based insights enhances nurses' credibility and ensures their frontline experiences inform policy decisions (Oestberg, 2013). Such direct engagement enables nurses to contribute to assessment of policy impacts, making healthcare systems more responsive and grounded in real-world practice.

Challenges Facing Nurse Participation in Policy Evaluation

Despite the numerous opportunities, barriers hinder nurses from active engagement in policy review. Time constraints remain a significant challenge, especially considering the demanding workloads faced by RNs and APRNs. Such workloads limit the capacity for nurses to participate in organizational committees or legislative advocacy, as their primary responsibility is patient care (Burke, 2016). Additionally, lack of confidence or knowledge about policy processes can discourage nurses from stepping into advocacy roles, perpetuating a cycle of underrepresentation in policymaking efforts.

Further complicating engagement are differing opinions among stakeholders, organizational politics, and difficulties in establishing sustained communication with legislative representatives. These obstacles can diminish nurses’ involvement or lead to frustration, discouraging sustained participation (Burke, 2016). Therefore, systemic support from healthcare organizations and educational institutions becomes vital in overcoming these barriers.

The Role of Organizational Support and Advocacy

Healthcare organizations and nursing leadership play an instrumental role in encouraging nurse involvement in policy review. By fostering a culture that values policy engagement and providing protected time for advocacy activities, organizations can enable nurses to contribute meaningfully to policy development (Milstead & Short, 2019). Educational programs designed to enhance policy literacy and advocacy skills further empower nurses, equipping them with the confidence and knowledge necessary to influence healthcare reforms effectively (Milstead & Short, 2019).

State boards of nursing and professional organizations should actively promote policies that support nurses’ engagement in policy evaluation. This could involve offering workshops, grants for advocacy initiatives, and mentorship programs that guide nurses through the complexities of legislative processes. Hence, organizational and institutional support is essential for translating policy interest into active participation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, nurses possess invaluable perspectives and expertise that significantly benefit healthcare policy development and evaluation. While numerous opportunities exist—through professional organizations, legislative engagement, and organizational support—barriers such as workload, lack of confidence, and communication challenges hinder full participation. Overcoming these obstacles requires concerted efforts from healthcare institutions, educational bodies, and policymakers to foster an environment where nurses are empowered and equipped to influence health policies effectively. Strengthening nurse involvement in policy evaluation not only enhances the quality of healthcare systems but also ensures that policies are grounded in the realities of clinical practice, ultimately improving patient outcomes and the sustainability of healthcare delivery.

References

• Arkansas Registered Nurses Association. (2020). Opportunities for nurses in policy evaluation. ARNA Publications.
• Burke, S. (2016). Influence through policy: Nurses have a unique role. Delaware Nurses Association.
• Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health Policy and Politics: A Nurse's Guide. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• Matthews, J. (2012). Role of Professional Organizations in Advocating for the Nursing Profession. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing.
• Oestberg, F. (2013). Building legislative relationships in nursing. Nursing Times.
• Oestberg, F. (2013). Nurses and policy-making: A guide for effective advocacy. Nursing Outlook, 61(4), 245-251.
• Delaware Nursing Association. (n.d). Advocacy Committee. Retrieved from https://delawarenurses.org/advocacy
• Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health Policy and Politics: A Nurse's Guide. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• National League for Nursing. (2018). Advocacy in nursing: A guide for effective policy engagement. NLN Publications.
• American Nurses Association. (2020). Becoming a policy advocate: Opportunities and strategies. ANA Resources.