Prepare To Revisit The Website Provided

To Preparerevisit The Congressgov Website Provided In the Resources

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. 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. Require Reading Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse's guide (6th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning. Chapter 5, “Public Policy Design” (pp. 87–95 only) Chapter 8, “The Impact of EHRs, Big Data, and Evidence-Informed Practice” (pp. 137–146) Chapter 9, “Interprofessional Practice” (pp. 152–160) Chapter 10, “Overview: The Economics and Finance of Health Care” (pp. 183–191) American Nurses Association (ANA). (n.d.). Advocacy Links to an external site. . Retrieved September 20, 2018, from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (n.d.). Step by step: Evaluating violence and injury prevention policies: Brief 4: Evaluating policy implementation Links to an external site. . Retrieved from Congress.gov Links to an external site. . (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2018, from Klein, K. J., & Sorra, J. S. (1996). The challenge of innovation implementation Links to an external site. . Academy of Management Review, 21 (4), 1055–1080. Sacristán, J., & Dilla, T. D. (2015). No big data without small data: Learning health care systems begin and end with the individual patient Links to an external site. . Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 21 (6), 1014–1017. Tummers, L., & Bekkers, V. (2014). Policy implementation, street level bureaucracy, and the importance of discretion Links to an external site. . Public Management Review, 16 (4), 527–547.

Paper For Above instruction

Registered Nurses (RNs) and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) play a pivotal role in shaping healthcare policies owing to their direct involvement in patient care and understanding of healthcare system needs. Their participation in policy-making can lead to more patient-centered, efficient, and equitable health policies. The Congress.gov website serves as a crucial platform for engaging with legislative processes, offering multiple opportunities for nurses to influence health legislation.

One significant opportunity for RNs and APRNs to participate in policy-making is through direct engagement with legislative processes such as lobbying and advocacy. As highlighted by the American Nurses Association (ANA), nurses can become involved in advocacy by tracking bills, mobilizing support, and communicating with legislators about issues affecting nursing practice and patient care (ANA, n.d.). This proactive approach ensures that nurses’ voices are heard in healthcare reforms and legislative decisions. For instance, nurses have successfully advocated for increased funding for nursing education and for policies promoting patient safety through legislative channels.

Another important avenue is active participation within professional organizations that influence policy. Organizations like the ANA provide structured opportunities for nurses to participate in policy development, either through committee work, professional advocacy campaigns, or by submitting testimony during public hearings. These organizations often have established relationships with Congress and can serve as a collective voice for the nursing profession, helping to translate clinical insights into policy actions. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses contributed valuable insights to policy discussions on telehealth legislation, facilitated through professional bodies.

Despite these opportunities, several challenges may hinder nurses' active participation. One primary challenge is time constraints, as nursing professionals often operate under demanding schedules that limit their ability to engage in policy activities. Overcoming this barrier requires institutions and organizations to provide protected time for nurses to engage in advocacy work. Another challenge is a lack of knowledge or confidence regarding legislative processes and policy formulation. Education and training programs on health policy, as recommended by Milstead and Short (2019), can bridge this gap by empowering nurses with the necessary skills and understanding.

To better advocate and communicate these opportunities, two strategies are essential. First, increasing awareness through targeted communication campaigns can inform nurses about how to get involved and the impact of their participation. This could involve webinars, newsletters, and training sessions integrated into nursing continuing education programs. Second, leveraging digital platforms and social media to showcase success stories of nurse-lobbyists and policymakers can inspire wider engagement. Sharing narratives of nurses influencing policy changes can demonstrate the tangible outcomes of active participation and motivate more nurses to get involved.

In conclusion, RNs and APRNs have significant opportunities to influence health policy through legislative advocacy and organizational participation. Addressing challenges like time constraints and lack of knowledge, along with strategic communication efforts, can enhance their involvement. Empowering nurses with education, resources, and visibility will ultimately strengthen their role in shaping effective health policies that improve patient care and outcomes.

References

  • Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse's guide (6th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
  • American Nurses Association (ANA). (n.d.). Advocacy Links.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (n.d.). Step by step: Evaluating violence and injury prevention policies: Brief 4: Evaluating policy implementation. Retrieved from CDC policy evaluation.
  • Klein, K. J., & Sorra, J. S. (1996). The challenge of innovation implementation. Academy of Management Review, 21(4), 1055–1080.
  • Sacristán, J., & Dilla, T. D. (2015). No big data without small data: Learning health care systems begin and end with the individual patient. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 21(6), 1014–1017.
  • Tummers, L., & Bekkers, V. (2014). Policy implementation, street level bureaucracy, and the importance of discretion. Public Management Review, 16(4), 527–547.
  • Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse's guide. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
  • U.S. Congress. (n.d.). Congress.gov. Retrieved from https://www.congress.gov.
  • Johnson, B., & Patel, R. (2020). The role of professional organizations in health policy advocacy. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 52(2), 204–211.
  • Reeves, S., Pelone, F., Harrison, R., et al. (2017). Interprofessional collaboration to improve healthcare outcomes. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 6, CD000072.

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