Influence Through Policy: Nurses and Unique Role

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. Influence Through Policy: Nurses and Unique Role

The Role of RNs and APRNs in policy-making

      Opportunities that exist for RNs and APRNs to actively participate in policy-making     

Lobbying and joining a professional nursing organization are two opportunities that exist for RNs and APRNs to actively engage in policymaking. Lobbying involves seeking to influence the views of a legislator. Knowing local legislators, enlightening them on health care issues, and informing them on the needs of their voters is a key way nurses become involved in policy decision making. Lawmakers are influenced by the information they receive along with sources of the information (Dames et al., 2020).

RNs and APRNs seeking to influence policy must join a professional nursing organization. According to Cherry and Jacob (2018),   since nursing organizations are involved in the monitoring public policy and providing training opportunities to enable their members to learn about the policymaking process,  they act as very useful resources for trustworthy information about policy issues. Being a member of an organization that has a political action committee, for example, the American Nurses Association can assist nurses to develop the skills to take part in political issues.

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The challenges that these opportunities may present and how I might overcome these challenges

Although opportunities exist for nurses to participate in policy-making, several challenges prevent them from active participation in the policy-making process. According to Safari et al. (2020), nurses do not adequately involve in policymaking due to lack of time to modify, formulate or implement policies as a result of heavy workloads as a result of adequate staffing.  Additionally, nurses do not have adequate policy development and political skills. I can overcome these barriers by regularly participating in formal, short-term programs in bureaucratic agencies and with elected officials.  Through these programs,  I will learn how to handle the concerns of constituents, how to argue with opponents, how to write to legislations and the way to maneuver via the bureaucracy.

Two strategies I might make to better communicate the existence of these opportunities to participate in policy-making

Developing ongoing relationships with legislators and gaining the confidence of legislators are two strategies I might make to better communicate opportunities that exist for RNs and APRNs to take part in policy-making Milstead and Short (2017) indicate that nurses who engage in political activity recognize that establishing contacts with agency directors and legislators is to form ongoing relationships with appointed and elected officials and their staffs.  Also, nurses have learned that by utilizing nursing skills and knowledge, they can get the confidence of government officials. Personal stories that nurses draw from their nursing experience anchor altruistic discussions with lawmakers, creating a significant emotional link that can affect policy design. Influence Through Policy: Nurses and Unique Role

References

Cherry, B., & Jacob, S.R. (2018).  Contemporary Nursing E-Book: Issues, Trends, & Management. Elsevier

Dames, S., Luctkar, M., & Tyerman, J. (2020). Edelman and Kudzma’s Canadian Health Promotion Throughout the Life span –E-Book. Elsevier.

Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2017). Health Policy and Politics: A Nurses Guide.  Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Safari, M B., Bahadori, M., & Alimohammadzadeh, K. (2020). The Related Factors of Nurses’ Participation and Perceived Benefits and Barriers in Health Policy Making. Journal of Nursing Research, 28(4), e103. doi: 10.1097/jnr.0000000000000385 Influence Through Policy: Nurses and Unique Role