One of the opportunities that exist for RN and APRN to be involve in policy review is by becoming a member of their states association. Becoming a member of their states association will allow an RN/APRN the opportunity to work closely with their senators and representatives, and they will be able to take part in healthcare policies review. Many nurses do not want to be part of their state’s association due to some of the challenges that comes with it. One of the challenges is that it is time consuming. It will be difficult for any nurse to be able to actively participate especially when they have a full-time job or family, they find it difficult to devote their time and instead of them devoting their time, they will prefer to volunteer their time instead. Been path of an association will allow an RN/APRN, to be part of the process that help to develop tools to evaluate the effectiveness of a given policy and this will enable RN/APRN to let our policymakers know if the policy works or not.
Also, another way an RN/APRN can be involve in policy review is to either take part in an internship program with an elected official or the RN/APRN can even run for an office at the local, states and federal level. Doing this will enable nurses to participate in review of policy and because nurses are part of the health care system, they have a good idea of the problem and the potential solutions to those problems. When policies are developed, nurses will be able to evaluate and think about the possible outcome of that policy before its implementation. The Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation
One of the strategies to communicate the existence of these opportunities to our fellow
Nurses is through nursing organization such as American Nurses Association (American Nurses Association, n.d.). Nurses should not just be path of this group but must be actively involve for us to effect the change that is needed to transform the healthcare system.
Another way to communicate the opportunity that exist is to add health policy education to nursing curriculum while in nursing school so that the nurses will be well inform and knowledgeable about their roles and impact they can create through their involvement in review of policy. Also, courses such as this one has added incredible value to policy process. “In 1991, the American Association of College of Nursing (AACN) announced that it is necessary to add health policy education to the field of nursing at Master’s level.” (McCleery et Al.,)
In conclusion, nurses should be knowledgeable about all issues related to health system and not just caring issues because the days of nurses just carrying out prescribed orders are over. Now it is time for nurses to be health legislators and develop practical policies. The Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation
References
American Nurses Association (ANA). (n.d.). Advocacy. Retrieved September 20, 2018, from https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/advocacy/
McCleery, E., Christensen, V., Peterson, K., Humphrey, L., & Helfand, M. (2014). Evidence Brief: The Quality of Care Provided by Advanced Practice Nurses. In VA Evidence Synthesis Program Evidence Briefs. Department of Veterans Affairs (US)
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