RNs and APRNs Role in Policy-Making

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

RNs and APRNs can actively participate in policy-making by writing to their federal or state representatives about health policy bills that have been filed by nurses. At both the federal and state level, RNS and APRNs can become engaged in policy by being part of a specialized nursing organization.  Nursing organizations lobby on patients’ behalf. According to Chilton (2015), by being a member of a specialized nursing organization, a nurse has the credentials to provide appropriate personal testimony in support of the requirement for a bill. For example, the American Association of College of Nursing is a specialized nursing organization that encourages nurses to actively participate in policy formulation. RNs and APRNs Role in Policy-Making

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Challenges that the opportunities may present and how I might overcome them

A key challenge that these opportunities may present includes finding required resources and having interest and relevant knowledge in the way political issues influence the nursing profession and healthcare. Additionally, nurses’ level of participation in political activities is restricted. Political activity is being part of political groups and taking part in activities to influence health policy.  Shariff (2014) claim that nurses are often not engaged in policy modification or formulation phases but are only engaged when policy is being implemented

I might overcome the challenges by being influential in policy-making by acquiring knowledge and developing skills on activities that might result in change and learning who is taking part in the development of policy and making contact with them. As Arabi et al (2014) allege,  nurses need to gain skills in policy-making so as to deal with professional challenges. They are required to understand power levels and who controls resources in order for them to influence health policy formulation instead of just influencing their implementation. RNs and APRNs Role in Policy-Making

Strategies I might make to better communicate the existence of opportunities to participate in policy-making

I may use social media such as Twitter and Facebook to better deliver and exchange information on the existence of opportunities for nurses to participate in policy-making. Social media can assist me to reach and engage a huge number of nurses in policy debate.  It is an influential engagement strategy I can use to ensure nurses along with other health care stakeholders take part in policy discussions that inform development of health strategy.   I may also develop a website and use it to communicate to nurses about their value and role in policy-making and the avenues that they can use.

References

Arabi, A., Rafli, F., Cheraghi, M., & Ghivasvandian, S.  (2014). Nurses’ policy influence: A concept analysis. Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research, 19(3): 315-322.

Chilton, L. (2015). Nurse Practitioners Have an Essential Role in Health Policy. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 11(2): A19.

Shariff, N. (2014). Factors that act as facilitators and barriers to nurse leaders’ participation in health policy development. BMC Nursing, 13:20. RNs and APRNs Role in Policy-Making