Nurses play a crucial role in influencing health policy at various levels. At the individual level, nurses are often the first point of contact with patients and families, which provides them with unique insights into the healthcare system’s strengths and weaknesses (Jerofke‐Owen & Dahlman, 2019). As frontline healthcare providers, nurses can identify gaps in healthcare policies and advocate for their patient’s needs. They can also use their expertise and experience to provide evidence-based recommendations for policy changes that can improve patient outcomes. Additionally, nurses can engage in public policy discussions and contribute to shaping the health policy agenda by joining professional organizations, attending policy forums, and contacting their elected representatives (Cato & Costello, 2022). By actively participating in health policy discussions, nurses can significantly impact the healthcare system’s direction, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for individuals and communities.
Professional organizations are critical in influencing health policy by providing policymakers with expert guidance, advocacy, and resources. These organizations, composed of healthcare professionals, researchers, and educators, deeply understand the healthcare system, patient needs, and the latest medical advances. They use this knowledge to shape local, state, and federal policy decisions by testifying before legislative bodies, engaging in public education campaigns, and collaborating with policymakers to develop evidence-based policies (Smith et al., 2020). Professional organizations also work to improve healthcare delivery by developing clinical guidelines and best practices, promoting the adoption of new technologies and treatments, and advancing research in their respective fields. By representing the interests of their members and advocating for patients, professional organizations play a critical role in ensuring that health policy decisions are informed, equitable, and evidence-based.
In conclusion, understanding health policy and financial considerations is crucial for nurses as future leaders in the healthcare profession. Keeping up with current trends in policy and finance, both at a national and local level, is essential to improve healthcare outcomes for individuals and populations. Legislative processes significantly impact healthcare financing and service delivery systems, and nurses should be knowledgeable about how these processes affect their practice. Financial reimbursement directly impacts the quality of care provided, and nurses must be advocates for improving the quality of care to ensure fair reimbursement. Finally, individual nurses and professional organizations are essential in influencing health policy and advocating for the best interests of patients and the healthcare system.
Cato, D. L., & Costello, D. (2022). Advocacy: from the patient to the profession. Nurse Leader, 20(5), 490-493. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mnl.2022.06.005
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