Sample Answer for NURS 6003 Discussion: The Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation Included After Question
In the Module 4 Discussion, 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?
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Content
Name: NURS_6050_Module05_Week09_Discussion_Rubric
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Excellent Good Fair Poor
Main Posting
Points Range: 45 (45%) – 50 (50%)
Answers all parts of the discussion question(s) expectations with reflective critical analysis and synthesis of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module and current credible sources.
Supported by at least three current, credible sources.
Written clearly and concisely with no grammatical or spelling errors and fully adheres to current APA manual writing rules and style.
Points Range: 40 (40%) – 44 (44%)
Responds to the discussion question(s) and is reflective with critical analysis and synthesis of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module.
At least 75% of post has exceptional depth and breadth.
Supported by at least three credible sources.
Written clearly and concisely with one or no grammatical or spelling errors and fully adheres to current APA manual writing rules and style.
Points Range: 35 (35%) – 39 (39%)
Responds to some of the discussion question(s).
One or two criteria are not addressed or are superficially addressed.
Is somewhat lacking reflection and critical analysis and synthesis.
Somewhat represents knowledge gained from the course readings for the module.
Post is cited with two credible sources.
Written somewhat concisely; may contain more than two spelling or grammatical errors.
Contains some APA formatting errors.
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 34 (34%)
Does not respond to the discussion question(s) adequately.
Lacks depth or superficially addresses criteria.
Lacks reflection and critical analysis and synthesis.
Does not represent knowledge gained from the course readings for the module.
Contains only one or no credible sources.
Not written clearly or concisely.
Contains more than two spelling or grammatical errors.
Does not adhere to current APA manual writing rules and style.
Main Post: Timeliness
Points Range: 10 (10%) – 10 (10%)
Posts main post by day 3.
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
Does not post by day 3.
First Response
Points Range: 17 (17%) – 18 (18%)
Response exhibits synthesis, critical thinking, and application to practice settings.
Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues.
Responses to faculty questions are fully answered, if posed.
Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by at least two scholarly sources.
Demonstrates synthesis and understanding of learning objectives.
Response is effectively written in standard, edited English.
Points Range: 15 (15%) – 16 (16%)
Response exhibits critical thinking and application to practice settings.
Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues.
Responses to faculty questions are answered, if posed.
Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by two or more credible sources.
Response is effectively written in standard, edited English.
Points Range: 13 (13%) – 14 (14%)
Response is on topic and may have some depth.
Responses posted in the discussion may lack effective professional communication.
Responses to faculty questions are somewhat answered, if posed.
Response may lack clear, concise opinions and ideas, and a few or no credible sources are cited.
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 12 (12%)
Response may not be on topic and lacks depth.
Responses posted in the discussion lack effective professional communication.
Responses to faculty questions are missing.
No credible sources are cited.
Second Response
Points Range: 16 (16%) – 17 (17%)
Response exhibits synthesis, critical thinking, and application to practice settings.
Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues.
Responses to faculty questions are fully answered, if posed.
Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by at least two scholarly sources.
Demonstrates synthesis and understanding of learning objectives.
Response is effectively written in standard, edited English.
Points Range: 14 (14%) – 15 (15%)
Response exhibits critical thinking and application to practice settings.
Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues.
Responses to faculty questions are answered, if posed.
Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by two or more credible sources.
Response is effectively written in standard, edited English.
Points Range: 12 (12%) – 13 (13%)
Response is on topic and may have some depth.
Responses posted in the discussion may lack effective professional communication.
Responses to faculty questions are somewhat answered, if posed.
Response may lack clear, concise opinions and ideas, and a few or no credible sources are cited.
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 11 (11%)
Response may not be on topic and lacks depth.
Responses posted in the discussion lack effective professional communication.
Responses to faculty questions are missing.
No credible sources are cited.
Participation
Points Range: 5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Meets requirements for participation by posting on three different days.
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
Does not meet requirements for participation by posting on 3 different days.
Total Points: 100
NURS 6003 Discussion The Role of the RN APRN in Policy Evaluation Rubric
RNs and APRNs play essential roles in health care that influence policy decisions. There are numerous chances for nurses and nurse practitioners to get involved in policy-making. House policy-making and evaluation are essential, but legislative and political advocacy is no less critical to advancing the profession and patient care (ANA,2020). Participating in creating these policies establishes and incorporates relevant criteria for providing care.
The first opportunity for APRNs to actively participate in policy-making is becoming a member of a professional nursing organization. Doing so allows an NP to gain access to the tools it might take to get involved with groups of others participating in policy-making. Although some may feel hesitant about joining a professional organization, induction is primarily expected in the nursing community (Echevarria, 2018). An example of a professional organization is the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Being a part of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) is more than just a membership; it is a real opportunity to make a measurable difference in the strength of your profession and the health of this country (American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 2022). This organization offers much insight into the education, advocacy, and practice. Being a member of the AANP will allow individuals to be educated and aware and allows RNs and APRNS to make a difference in patient care.
The second opportunity for APRNs and registered nurses to actively participate in policy-making is to continue education. While nurses can participate in policy-making at any educational level, pursuing an advanced degree is an effective way to get a seat at the nursing policy table. Earning a DNP demonstrates nurses’ expertise at the highest level of practice, represents their commitment to advancing health outcomes, and distinguishes them as a thought leader. The DNP has been recognized by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing as the most appropriate degree for advanced-practice registered nurses to enter practice (Marymount University,2021).
APRNs might face a challenge in policy-making is the lack of available resources and knowledge. Some nurses felt as though they did not possess the right resources to be able to mobilize policy-making actions. Reviewing and developing policies can become overwhelming and intimidating. APRNs also felt they had a lack of knowledge pertaining to health policy development, thus making it difficult to move forward in the process. Nurses and nurse practitioners found that influencing policy development and the course of the health policy is mainly about securing resources for health care (Shariff,2014). To overcome this challenge, I recommend becoming a professional nursing organization member. Nursing organizations give nurses the tools they need to stay current on best practices, read the opinions of industry leaders, and get a peek at what other hospitals throughout the nation are doing to change patient care.
The second challenge nurses and APRNs might face is a feeling of powerlessness to affect policy change. It is not uncommon to feel as though your voice is being ignored when you are a part of a significant movement. Front‐line nurses may believe it is impossible to create policy change at the national or even local level; many may think their role is too small to make a difference in health policy. However, the front-line engagement nurses have with patients, and other healthcare professionals, make them ideal healthcare policy advocates (Rafferty,2018). When decision-makers hear from nurses and practitioners, it will improve decisions on care coordination, regulatory changes, and health information technology. Knowledge is power in these situations.
One of the strategies I may implement is educating other nurses so they can be a part of policy-making. Until this class, I had no idea that I could affect policy-making. I would share facts, get people involved in a nursing organization that suits them, and increase awareness that we can make a change as nurses or APRNs. A second strategy I would use is to get the hospital I work at involved in policy reviews and nurse advocacy. I would create an in-house organization that makes nurses aware of their power to make change happen. I would collect a list of hospital issues we experience, see what we can do to change them, and collaborate with other hospitals to see if the issue is happening elsewhere.
American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (2022). Clinical Resources for Nurse Practitioners (NPS). American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Retrieved October 12, 2022, from https://www.aanp.org/practice/clinical-resources-for-nps
ANA. (2020, April 27). Advocacy. Practice Advocacy . Retrieved October 12, 2022, from https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/advocacy/
Echevarria, I. (2018). Make connections by joining a professional nursing
organization. Nursing, 48 (12), 35-38. doi: 10.1097/01.NURSE.0000547721.84857.cb.
Marymount University.(2021, November 11). 5 ways nurses can shape policy. Marymount University Online. Retrieved October 12, 2022, from https://online.marymount.edu/blog/nursing-influence-on-health-care-policy
Rafferty A. M. (2018). Nurses as change agents for a better future in health care: the politics of drift and dilution. Health economics, policy, and law, 13(3-4), 475–491. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1744133117000482
Shariff N. (2014). Factors that act as facilitators and barriers to nurse leaders’ participation in health policy development. BMC nursing, 13, 20. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6955-13-20
I believe that nurses can be involved in policy-making and policy evaluation because they spend the most time with patients. Therefore, they can be advocates with governments and regulatory agencies. Myers (2020) notes that “Nurses need to advocate for systematic change, inclusive of the many factors that interact to determine health” (p. 14). Additionally, if we speak about the policy process, nurses should also be involved with its evaluation to see the direct effect on patients.
The adopted program evaluation is a fourth step of the whole policy-making cycle. It ends “after the policy is evaluated to determine to what extent it has been implemented and whether it has achieved the desired outcome” (Clifton et al., p. 25). Nurses have an essential role here as, for example, they can watch the patients’ health state during a new program of cancer or diabetes treatment. That is why it is crucial to get them involved in the policy-making cycle.
There are at least two opportunities for RNs and APRNs to participate in a policy review actively. First of all, it is a policy draft that is necessary because it presents the effect of the policy on social and individual levels. Whitehead et al. (2017) note that “it is a nurse’s professional and societal responsibility to answer the call and provide a voice for the voiceless” (p. 73). Nurses can do it by making and publishing the policy draft. Secondly, policy analysis is another opportunity that follows the previous one more deeply evaluating the significance of a proposed program; it includes the introduction, process definition, analysis, and critical policy events. However, there are challenges in using these opportunities, for example, if nurses emphasize the necessity of implementing new technologies to treat coronavirus patients. Economically vested lobbies may interfere because it is unprofitable for them. In this case, nurses need to prove the validity of their decision more clearly and justifiably, publicizing its importance widely at the same time.
The first strategy to communicate opportunities to participate in a policy review is teaching writing policy drafts during education. The second one is making the ability to write these drafts a prerequisite for employment. Therefore, nurses must know how to participate in a policy review as an essential part of their profession. This knowledge and skill should become usual for them as professionals. They may practice making policy drafts and analyses during education and prove the skill in employment.
NURS 6003 Discussion The Role of the RN APRN in Policy Evaluation References
Clifton, A., Felton, A., Stacey, G., Hemingway, S. (Eds.). (2017). Fundamentals of Mental Health Nursing. An Essential Guide for Nursing and Healthcare Students. Wiley.
Myers, C. R. (2020). Promoting Health: Nurse Advocacy, Policy Making, and Use of Media. In a K. A. Wolgast (Ed.), Building Innovative Nurse Leaders at the Point of Care, An Issue of Nursing Clinics (pp. 11-20). Elsevier Health Sciences.
Whitehead, D. K., Dittman, P. W., McNulty, D. (2017). Leadership and the Advanced Practice Nurse. The Future of a Changing Health-Care Environment. F.A. Davis Company.
Health policies are frequently developed without the evidence of research conducted by nurses (Wakefield, 2004). I believe that by increasing nurse researchers’ understanding of the policy process and how research contributes to policy evaluation, nurse researchers will be more effective in contributing to policies that improve the health of the nation.
Evaluation is the final stage in the policy process. Policy evaluation according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) applies evaluation principles and methods to examine the content, implementation or impact of a policy, it is the activity through which we develop an understanding of the merit, worth, and utility of a policy (CDC, 2016). Moreover, the use of research to health policy evaluation is to determine the effectiveness of the healthcare policy in improving aspects of targeted population’s health in terms of quality of care, the efficiency of care delivery, availability of access and the effect on health disparities.
As nurses being involved in the process of policy evaluation, nurses should be encouraged to engage more fully in health policy research. We believe that by increasing nurse researchers’ understanding of the policy process and how their research can contribute at each stage of the process, nurse researchers will be more effective in contributing to policies that improve the quality of health of the target population
References
Aday L. A., Begley C. E., Lairson D. R., Balkrishnan R. (2008) Evaluating the healthcare system: Effectiveness, efficiency, and equity, 3rd ed. Chicago, IL: Health Administration Press.
Braveman P. A., Cubbin C., Egerter S., Williams D. R., Pamuk E. (2010) Socioeconomic disparities in health in the United States: What the patterns tell us. American Journal Public Health 100(Suppl 1): S186–S196. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2009.166082.
First Response
Great Post Caitlin!
Mental health is a crucial aspect of overall health and well-being, especially during adolescence, when individuals undergo significant physical, cognitive, and emotional changes. In the United States, mental health issues among adolescents are a growing concern, with statistics showing that 1 in 6 adolescents aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year (Mental Health for Adolescents, n.d.)
Schools are vital for addressing adolescent mental health needs as they provide access to a large and diverse population of students. Implementing mental health services in educational settings can help address the needs of students who may not have access to mental health services outside of school, such as those from low-income families or who live in rural areas (Richter et al., 2022)
Here are some approaches and strategies for implementing mental health services in educational settings for adolescents in the United States:
- Hire Mental Health Professionals: One approach is to hire mental health professionals, such as licensed therapists, social workers, and school counselors, to provide services in schools. These professionals can offer individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, and support to students struggling with mental health issues. Schools can also partner with community mental health agencies to provide additional resources and support
- Train Teachers and Staff: Another approach is to train teachers and staff on recognizing signs of mental health issues in students and referring them to appropriate resources. This can include training on trauma-informed care, suicide prevention, and strategies for supporting students with anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns.
- Offer Mental Health Education: Schools can incorporate mental health education into their curriculum, including stress management, coping skills, and mental health stigma reduction. This can help students better understand mental health and provide them with tools to support their mental health and that of their peers.
- Create a Safe and Supportive School Environment: A safe and supportive school environment is critical to promoting positive mental health outcomes for students. This can include implementing policies that address bullying and harassment, promoting a positive school culture, and providing opportunities for students to engage in extracurricular activities and peer support groups.
- Use Technology to Increase Access to Services: Finally, schools can use technology to increase students’ access to mental health services. This can include teletherapy and other online mental health services that allow students to receive support from mental health professionals outside of school hours and from the comfort of their own homes (Zabek et al., 2022)
In conclusion, implementing mental health services in educational settings is a critical step in addressing the mental health needs of adolescents in the United States. By providing access to mental health professionals, training for teachers and staff, mental health education, a safe and supportive school environment, and technology-based services, schools can help promote positive mental health outcomes for students and support their overall well-being
References
Mental Health for Adolescents. (n.d.). HHS Office of Population Affairs. https://opa.hhs.gov/adolescent-health/mental-health-adolescents
Richter, A., Sjunnestrand, M., Strandh, M. R., & Hasson, H. (2022, March 15). Implementing School-Based Mental Health Services: A Scoping Review of the Literature Summarizing the Factors That Affect Implementation. PubMed Central (PMC). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063489
Zabek, F., Lyons, M. D., Alwani, N., Taylor, J. V., Brown-Meredith, E., Cruz, M. A., & Southall, V. H. (2022, July 26). Roles and Functions of School Mental Health Professionals Within Comprehensive School Mental Health Systems. PubMed Central (PMC). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12310-022-09535-0
NURS 6003 Discussion The Role of the RN APRN in Policy Evaluation Grading Rubric Guidelines
| Performance Category | 10 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 0 |
| Scholarliness
Demonstrates achievement of scholarly inquiry for professional and academic decisions. |
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| Performance Category | 10 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 0 |
| Application of Course Knowledge –
Demonstrate the ability to analyze, synthesize, and/or apply principles and concepts learned in the course lesson and outside readings and relate them to real-life professional situations |
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| Performance Category | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Interactive Dialogue
Replies to each graded thread topic posted by the course instructor, by Wednesday, 11:59 p.m. MT, of each week, and posts a minimum of two times in each graded thread, on separate days. (5 points possible per graded thread) |
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Summarizes what was learned from the lesson, readings, and other student posts for the week. |
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| Minus 1 Point | Minus 2 Point | Minus 3 Point | Minus 4 Point | Minus 5 Point | |
| Grammar, Syntax, APA
Note: if there are only a few errors in these criteria, please note this for the student in as an area for improvement. If the student does not make the needed corrections in upcoming weeks, then points should be deducted. Points deducted for improper grammar, syntax and APA style of writing. The source of information is the APA Manual 6th Edition |
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| 0 points lost | -5 points lost | ||||
| Total Participation Requirements
per discussion thread |
The student answers the threaded discussion question or topic on one day and posts a second response on another day. | The student does not meet the minimum requirement of two postings on two different days | |||
| Early Participation Requirement
per discussion thread |
The student must provide a substantive answer to the graded discussion question(s) or topic(s), posted by the course instructor (not a response to a peer), by Wednesday, 11:59 p.m. MT of each week. | The student does not meet the requirement of a substantive response to the stated question or topic by Wednesday at 11:59 pm MT. |