Unlocking the Power of Nursing: Opportunities and Challenges for RNs and APRNs to Participate in Policy-Making

ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS:

Word cloud generators have become popular tools for meetings and team-building events. Groups or teams are asked to use these applications to input words they feel best to describe their team or their role. A “word cloud” is generated by the application that makes prominent the most-used terms, offering an image of the common thinking among participants of that role.
What types of words would you use to build a nursing word cloud? Empathetic, organized, hard-working, or advocate would all certainly apply. Would you add a policy-maker to your list? Do you think it would be a very prominent component of the word cloud?
Nursing has become one of the largest professions in the world, and as such, nurses have the potential to influence policy and politics on a global scale. When nurses influence the politics that improve the delivery of healthcare, they are ultimately advocating for their patients. Hence, policy-making has become an increasingly popular term among nurses as they recognize a moral and professional obligation to be engaged in healthcare legislation. To Prepare:
Revisit the Congress.gov website provided in the Resources and consider the role of RNs and APRNs in policy-making.
Reflect on potential opportunities that may exist for RNs and APRNs to participate in the policy-making process. 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.

HOW TO WORK ON THIS ASSIGNMENT (EXAMPLE ESSAY / DRAFT)

It takes a range of abilities to be a nurse, including organization, sensitivity, and a strong work ethic. These traits are frequently connected to nursing and would undoubtedly take center stage in a nursing word cloud. As patient advocacy is a crucial part of the nursing profession, the word “advocate” would also be an important part of the nursing word cloud.

However, nursing also plays a significant part in determining policy in the current healthcare environment. Nurses can have a global impact on politics and policy as the largest healthcare profession. To advance the nursing profession and enhance patient care, it is essential to comprehend the possibilities and obstacles that exist for nurses to actively participate in policymaking.

Serving on committees or task forces devoted to the provision of healthcare is one way for RNs and APRNs to get involved in the creation of policy. There are numerous task forces or committees devoted to healthcare policy at various government agencies, professional associations, and advocacy groups. Nurses who participate in these committees can share insightful knowledge about healthcare delivery and promote patient-beneficial policies. Finding the time to participate in committee activities is a difficulty, though. Because of their frequent lengthy shifts and possible family obligations, nurses may find it challenging to devote the necessary time to fully engage.

Participating in grassroots advocacy initiatives is another way for RNs and APRNs to influence policy. This can involve getting in touch with lawmakers or going to advocacy gatherings to inform decision-makers about healthcare issues. Additionally, nurses can use social media channels to advocate for healthcare policy concerns and to share their own experiences with decision-makers. Nursing professionals may lack essential advocacy skills or may not know how to properly connect with legislators, which presents a difficulty for grassroots advocacy campaigns.

Nurses might look for training and education opportunities to improve their advocacy abilities to overcome the difficulties connected with taking part in policymaking. To split the workload and maximize their time, they can also collaborate with other nurses or advocacy organizations. Last but not least, nurses can use technology to organize their advocacy work, such as by setting up meetings or contacting legislators online.

As a result, RNs and APRNs must recognize the potential and difficulties that come with participating in policy-making to advance the nursing profession and enhance patient care. Nurses have the potential to significantly influence healthcare policy and the provision of healthcare services by actively seeking out involvement opportunities, overcoming obstacles, and employing powerful advocacy tactics.