The Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation Essay

You considered how professional nurses can become involved in policy-making. A critical component of any policy design is evaluation of the results. How comfortable are you with the thought of becoming involved with such matters? Some nurses may be hesitant to get involved with policy evaluation. The preference may be to focus on the care and well-being of their patients; some nurses may feel ill-equipped to enter the realm of policy and political activities. However, as you have examined previously, who better to advocate for patients and effective programs and polices than nurses? Already patient advocates in interactions with doctors and leadership, why not with government and regulatory agencies? This time, you will reflect on the role of professional nurses in policy evaluation. The Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation Essay.To Prepare: • Formerly, you considered how professional nurses can become involved in policy-making. • Review the Resources and reflect on the role of professional nurses in policy evaluation. Write an explanation of at least two opportunities that currently exist for RNs and APRNs to actively participate in policy review. 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 t

Opportunities that currently exist for RNs and APRNs to actively participate in policy review

Policy review measures the overall effectiveness and the level to which a policy has accomplished its objectives. Nurses can participate in policy evaluation through policy evaluation research. According to Ellenbecker and Edaward (2017), research at the policy evaluation stage investigates the outcomes of a policy/ program after its implementation.  Evaluation research is a thorough examination of the long-term and current effect of the policy on populations for which the policy was planned, the impact on society, as well as any inadvertent consequences. For example, outcomes to be examined might include the effectiveness of a policy on care quality, care delivery, care accessibility, and impact on health disparities. RNs and APRNs can also participate in policy review by participating in oversight committee hearings, on-site visits, yearly program reports to an oversight committee, and comparing the program to some professional standards. The Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation Essay.

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

There are several reasons for APRNs lack of active participation in policy evaluation.  They include lack of time, resources, and support in their workplaces. At times, there are bureaucratic walls that impede nurses from utilizing opportunities to talk about their policy concerns, for instance, because they are employed by the government. Additionally, nurses lack the skills and confidence in policymaking and lack the understanding of the connections between politics and policy (Turale & Kunavitkitul, 2019). I may overcome these barriers by advancing my knowledge on how policy evaluation occurs.  I can also seek supportive mentorship from nurses who have been involved in policy evaluation activities.

Strategies in might to better advocate for or communicate the existence of these opportunities

I can better advocate for the existence of these opportunities by being equipped with requisite skills, knowledge, and attitudes through policy education. Milstead and Short (2019) indicate that policy/program effectiveness should be taught in research as well as clinical courses.  The Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation Essay.The theoretical constituents taught in the classroom and followed by practical application via participation in legislative and political committees in professional nursing organizations must act as basic training for RNs and APRNs. I might call on nurse educators,  national nursing associations,  nurse leaders, and nurse regulatory bodies to work jointly to plan how nurses’ policy training may be executed and supported.

References

Ellenbecker, C. H., & Edaward, J. (2017). Conducting Nursing Research to Advance and Inform Health Policy. Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice, 17(4): 208-217.  https://doi.org/10.1177/1527154417700634

Miltead, J. A. & Short, N. M. (2019). Health Policy and Politics: A Nurse’s Guide. Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Turale, S., & Kunavitkitul, W. (2019). The contribution of nurses to health policy and advocacy requires leaders to provide training and mentorship. International Nursing Review, 66,(3),   302-304. https://doi.org/10.1111/inr.12550. The Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation Essay.