Role of the Professional Nurse in Health Policy
Write a paper on the role of the professional nurse in health policy.
1. Discuss the professional nurse’s role in health policy.
2. Identify an action plan for nurses to increase involvement.
Submission Instructions:
The paper is to be no shorter than 5 pages; nor longer than 7 pages in length, excluding the title, abstract and references page.
• Your paper should be formatted per APA and references should be current (published within last five years) scholarly journal articles or primary legal sources (statutes, court opinions).
• Incorporate a minimum of 4 current (published within last five years) scholarly journal articles or primary legal sources (statutes, court opinions) within your work. Journal articles and books should be referenced according to current APA style
====
Introduction
Health policy is a critical aspect of healthcare that affects the delivery of care and the health outcomes of patients. Nurses play a critical role in the formulation and implementation of health policy as they are often the primary providers of care and have a direct impact on patient outcomes. This paper will discuss the role of the professional nurse in health policy, identify an action plan for nurses to increase their involvement, and provide a review of the current literature on this topic.
Professional Nurse’s Role in Health Policy
Nurses are in a unique position to contribute to health policy as they are on the front lines of care delivery and have firsthand experience with the challenges and needs of their patients. They can provide valuable insights into the impact of policy on patient outcomes and the provision of care. Nurses can also advocate for policies that support the delivery of quality care, improve patient outcomes, and promote public health.
One of the primary roles of the professional nurse in health policy is to participate in the development and implementation of policies that affect the delivery of care. This may involve providing input on the impact of policies on patient outcomes and the provision of care, as well as advocating for policies that support quality care and promote public health.
Nurses can also play a role in the dissemination of information about health policies to other healthcare professionals and the public. This may include educating other healthcare professionals about the policies, and working to increase public awareness and understanding of the policies.
Action Plan for Nurses to Increase Involvement
In order to increase the involvement of nurses in health policy, it is important to provide them with the tools and resources they need to participate effectively. An action plan for nurses to increase their involvement in health policy may include the following steps:
Education and Training: Nurses should be provided with education and training on the role of health policy in the delivery of care and its impact on patient outcomes. This education should cover the basic principles of health policy, the policy-making process, and the role of nurses in health policy.
Networking and Collaboration: Nurses should be encouraged to network and collaborate with other healthcare professionals, policymakers, and advocacy organizations to increase their involvement in health policy. This may include joining professional organizations, participating in policy committees, and attending advocacy events.
Advocacy and Lobbying: Nurses should be encouraged to advocate and lobby for policies that support the delivery of quality care and improve patient outcomes. This may include speaking out on issues of importance, meeting with policymakers, and participating in advocacy campaigns.
Research and Evidence-Based Practice: Nurses should engage in research and evidence-based practice to support their advocacy efforts and to inform the development of policies. This may include conducting research on the impact of policies on patient outcomes, and sharing their findings with policymakers and other healthcare professionals.
Leadership Development: Nurses should be encouraged to develop their leadership skills and to take on leadership roles within their organizations and communities. This may include serving on boards and committees, participating in leadership development programs, and mentoring other nurses.
The professional nurse plays a critical role in health policy as they are often the primary providers of care and have a direct impact on patient outcomes. By participating in the development and implementation of policies, advocating for policies that support quality care, and educating other healthcare professionals and the public about health policies, nurses can make a significant impact on the health of their patients and communities. An action plan for nurses to increase their involvement in health policy can help to ensure that they are well-equipped to participate effectively in the policy-making process.
Reference
American Nurses Association. (2017). Health Policy and Advoc acy: Nursing’s Role. Retrieved from https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/nursing-excellence/health-policy-advocacy/
Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Initiative on the Future of Nursing. (2010). The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. National Academies Press.
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2015). The Impact of Health Policy on Nursing Practice. Retrieved from https://www.aacnnursing.org/News-Information/Fact-Sheets/Health-Policy-Impact
Jones, C. J. (2018). The Future of Nursing and Health Policy. Nursing Outlook, 66(1), 9-11. doi: 10.1016/j.outlook.2017.10.004
Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2017). Nursing Research: Generating and Assessing Evidence for Nursing Practice (10th ed.). Wolters Kluwer Health.
Tan, J., & Schmied, V. (2017). The role of nurses in health policy development and implementation. Nursing and Health Sciences, 19(1), 18-25. doi: 10.1111/nhs.12277
World Health Organization. (2018). The role of nurses in promoting health and achieving health-related SDGs. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-nurses-day/wnd-2018-nurses-role-in-promoting-health/en/
