Nurses Are Well Positioned For Reforming Healthcare 987336

Nurses Are Well Positioned For Reforming Health Care

Discussion Topic : Nurses are well positioned for reforming health care in ways that promote a healthier public and reduce healthcare cost. Discuss the role nurse plays, in COVID vaccination mandate, telemedicine, and prescription drug pricing as advocates in the healthcare system. Select one Student Learning Outcomes from the following list and provides an explanation of how the selected Student Learning Outcomes is explored or related to the Discussion Topic. 1. Point out the impact of economic, political, and legal and ethical issues on the development and evolution of health care policies. 2. Determine the effects of healthcare policy on nursing roles and healthcare delivery. 3. Examine the development of health care policies at the legislative level. 4. Relate the role of the nurse leader as a driver of policy reform. 5. Interpret research, bringing the nursing perspective, for policy makers and stakeholders. 6. Promote policies that incorporate ethical principles and standards for the use of health and information technologies. 7. Advocate for patients, families, caregivers, communities, and members of the healthcare team.

Paper For Above instruction

Healthcare reform is a continual process influenced by various factors, and nurses are uniquely positioned to be at the forefront of this transformation. Their direct contact with patients, comprehensive understanding of health systems, and advocacy roles make nurses vital agents in shaping policies that promote a healthier public and reduce healthcare costs. This paper explores the nurse’s role in key areas such as COVID-19 vaccination mandates, telemedicine, and prescription drug pricing, and relates these actions to the selected Student Learning Outcome: “Determine the effects of healthcare policy on nursing roles and healthcare delivery.”

In the context of COVID-19 vaccination mandates, nurses have been pivotal in advocating for public health while navigating ethical and legal considerations. As frontline health professionals, nurses have served as trusted voices encouraging vaccination to curb virus transmission, protect vulnerable populations, and promote community health. Their involvement in this area exemplifies how nursing advocacy influences healthcare policies that shape immunization programs. Nurses’ participation ensures policies are patient-centered and ethically grounded, balancing individual rights with collective safety (Davis et al., 2021). This active engagement directly informs healthcare delivery by ensuring vaccination protocols are implemented effectively and equitably.

Telemedicine represents another healthcare reform area where nurses play an instrumental role. With the rapid expansion of telehealth services, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses have been integral in facilitating virtual care, educating patients about digital health tools, and ensuring quality standards are maintained. Telemedicine reduces barriers to access, lowers costs, and enhances patient outcomes, testimonies to how healthcare policies can evolve to incorporate innovative delivery models (Smith & Lee, 2020). Nurses’ hands-on involvement in designing and implementing telehealth policies supports more accessible and efficient healthcare systems, directly influencing healthcare delivery by expanding the reach and scope of nursing practice.

Prescription drug pricing is another critical area where nurses advocate for equitable healthcare. Rising medication costs pose significant barriers to treatment adherence and health equity. Nurses often serve as patient advocates, educating patients about medication options, policy impacts, and assisting with access to affordable drugs. Policy reforms aimed at controlling drug prices require nurse participation to ensure that patient safety and accessibility are maintained. Their insights help inform policies that balance pharmaceutical innovation with affordability, thereby shaping healthcare delivery systems that are more sustainable and patient-centered (Gonzalez et al., 2022).

The selected Student Learning Outcome—“Determine the effects of healthcare policy on nursing roles and healthcare delivery”—directly relates to these advocacy efforts. Healthcare policies influence nurses’ scope of practice, responsibilities, and resource availability, ultimately shaping how care is provided. For instance, policies supporting telehealth expansions elevate nurses’ roles as primary caregivers in virtual settings, while vaccination mandates require nurses to educate and advocate for immunization. Understanding how policies affect nursing functions allows for tailored strategies that enhance patient outcomes and promote effective healthcare reform (Brennan et al., 2022).

In conclusion, nurses are strategically positioned to influence healthcare reform through their advocacy in vaccination policies, telemedicine, and drug pricing. Their insights ensure that reforms are ethically sound, practical, and patient-centered, ultimately improving public health and reducing costs. Recognizing the impact of healthcare policies on nursing practice underscores the importance of involving nurses in legislative and organizational decision-making processes—making them powerful agents of systemic change.

References

• Brennan, P. F., et al. (2022). Telehealth in nursing: Policy implications and opportunities. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 54(1), 74-81.
• Davis, M. M., et al. (2021). Nurse advocacy and vaccination efforts during COVID-19. Nursing Outlook, 69(3), 319-327.
• Gonzalez, J., et al. (2022). Policy approaches to drug pricing and their implications for nursing practice. Journal of Healthcare Policy and Management, 38(2), 145-155.
• Smith, A., & Lee, C. (2020). Telemedicine and nursing: Transforming healthcare through policy. Nursing Administration Quarterly, 44(4), 318-324.