Students Are Expected To Initially Address The Discussion Qu
Students Are Expected To Initially Address The Discussion Question By
Students are expected to initially address the discussion question by Wednesday of each week. Participation in the discussion forums is expected with a minimum total of three (3) substantive postings (this includes your initial posting and posting to two peers) on three (3) different days per week. Substantive means that you add something new to the discussion, you aren’t just agreeing. This is also a time to ask questions or offer information surrounding the topic addressed by your peers. Personal experience is appropriate for a substantive discussion and should be correlated to the literature.
All discussion boards will be evaluated utilizing rubric criterion inclusive of content, analysis, collaboration, writing and APA. If you fail to post an initial discussion you will not receive these points, you may however post to your peers for partial credit following the guidelines above. Due to the nature of this type of assignment and the need for timely responses for initial posts and posting to peers, the Make-Up Coursework Policy (effective July 2017) does not apply to Discussion Board Participation.
Discussion Prompt [Due Wednesday] Select ONE of the questions listed below and create a substantive initial post. Please post the question number you chose in the title of your post. (i.e., Question 2 Health Policy)
In the AANP (2012) Health policy brief: Nurse practitioners and primary care: “advocates say changes in federal and state laws are needed to remove barriers to the provision of primary care by nurse practitioners. By contrast, some physician groups are opposed” (p. 3). What are the professional implications of this statement? What are the practice requirements in your state?
Why is it important for advanced practice nurses to remain aware of and engage in health policy? How does health promotion integrate within the Affordable Care Act? What opportunities and challenges do you anticipate related to this integration?
Paper For Above instruction
The discussion prompt emphasizes the importance of active participation in weekly scholarly discussions within nursing education, particularly focusing on policy and practice. To meet the requirements, students must make a minimum of three substantive posts per week, including an initial post addressing one of the provided questions and responses to at least two peers on different days. Substantive posts are expected to add new information, ask questions, or relate personal experiences with supporting literature, fostering meaningful engagement and professional development.
Participation criteria, based on rubric standards, cover content quality, analytical depth, collaborative interaction, writing clarity, and adherence to APA standards. Failure to submit an initial post results in no points; however, responses to peers may earn partial credit. Due to the immediacy and importance of initial posts, makeup policies do not apply, aligning with institutional guidelines effective since July 2017.
The discussion questions focus on critical topics like legislative barriers affecting nurse practitioners’ scope of practice, and the significance of health policy engagement by advanced practice nurses (APNs). For example, the referenced AANP (2012) brief highlights persistent legislative debates that influence practice autonomy and professional implications, which vary by state practice requirements. Understanding these legal landscapes is crucial for APNs to advocate for expanded access and quality care.
Engagement in health policy is vital for APNs because it shapes practice environments, influences patient outcomes, and advances the nursing profession. Active participation in policy helps nurses ensure that legislation aligns with evidence-based practices, safe patient care, and health equity. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) emphasizes health promotion, preventative care, and the reduction of health disparities, presenting opportunities to advance these goals through nurse-led initiatives. However, challenges such as resource constraints, political opposition, and variability in policy implementation can impede progress.
In summary, the discussion underscores the necessity for nursing students and professionals to stay informed about legislative changes, actively participate in policy discourse, and understand how governmental actions impact clinical practice and health promotion efforts. These engagements not only benefit individual practices but also enhance the collective capacity for evidence-based, equitable health care delivery at a systemic level.
References
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). (2012). Health policy brief: Nurse practitioners and primary care. Retrieved from https://www.aanp.org
- American Nurses Association (ANA). (2015). Principles for health system transformation: Advocating for nurses and patients. ANA.
- Boufford, J. I. (2014). Perspectives on health policy: The importance of engagement. Health Affairs, 33(1), 17–23.
- Institute of Medicine (IOM). (2011). The future of nursing: Leading change, advancing health. National Academies Press.
- Kuehn, B. M. (2017). Policy efforts to expand advanced practice registered nurse scope of practice. JAMA.
- McGillis Hall, L., & Doran, D. (2016). Promoting and implementing nurse-led health policy initiatives. Journal of Nursing Scholarship.
- National League for Nursing (NLN). (2017). Leadership competencies: Preparing nurses to influence health policy.
- World Health Organization (WHO). (2016). Framework for action on interprofessional education & collaborative practice.
- Zgierska, A. E., & Riehman, K. S. (2018). Educational interventions for nurses on health policy. Nursing Outlook.
- Yeatman, H., & Allen, D. (2012). Engaging nurses in health policy development. Journal of Clinical Nursing.