Hello (colleague).
I agree nurses must be prepared for challenges that exist with policy evaluation. That is why I feel it is important for nurses to understand how the policy process works first in order to be effective in the political arena.
To influence health care policy, we must start with a basic understanding of the legislative process. How can one play a part in any process without understanding how the process works?
Before introducing a bill, a member of Congress will do research to collect facts and send draft versions to different organizations for their input on how it will affect their members (AACN, 2003). This is the first opportunity for citizens as well as nurses to influence a bill (AACN, 2003). Members of nursing organizations will be called upon to provide feedback. This is a nursing organization’s advantage and opportunity to influence a bill at this stage of development. Bills start with ideas. The best bills are the ones that are easy to explain and positively affect many people (AACN, 2003). One best way to get involved in the process of policy making is through nursing organizations. NURS 6050 Discussion The Role of the RN APRN in Policy Evaluation Sample
Nursing organizations can be beneficial to all nurses. The American Nurse Association (ANA, 2020). Advocates on the nurse’s behalf, educating and forging relationships with members of the Congress and congressional staff on both sides of the aisle and lobbying to advance ANA’s policy agenda in support of nurses and patients (ANA, 2020).
When Congress passes laws, they rarely contain enough specific language to guide their implementation completely (ANA, 2020). It is the responsibility of the federal administrative agencies to fill in the details of new or amended laws with rules and regulations and it is important that the voice of United States nurses is heard during this process (ANA, 2020).
I feel getting involved in a Nursing organization at a state and federal level is a great opportunity for nurses to get involved in the political arena. Nurses cannot afford to remain in the background or added as an afterthought to the policy and legislative arenas. As the single largest single group of health care providers, nurses have the potential to successfully advocate from a diverse power base; and they have a unique perspective on health care policies and expertise to share with power brokers (Abood, 2007).
Nurses need to be a strong voice actively advocating for positive change. Nurses strengthen their power base when they network with nursing colleagues and other supporters to build consensus on important issues, and a Nursing organization is one excellent way to network with other professionals and to become involved in the politics of health care.
REFERENCES
Sheila Abood, S. (January 32, 2007). Influencing Health Care in the Legislative Arena. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing. Vol. 12 No. 1, Manuscript 2. Retrieved April 25, 2020, from
https://NursingWorld.org>ojin
American Nurses Association (ANA, 2020). Health Policy. Retrieved April 25, 2020, from
https://NursingWorld>practice-policy>health
American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing. How a bill becomes a law. Retrieved April 22, 2020, fro
https://www.aaacn.org>legislative
Discussion: The Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation
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?
In this Discussion, you will reflect on the role of professional nurses in policy evaluation.
To Prepare:
- In the Module 4 Discussion, 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.
By Day 3 of Week 9
Post 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 the existence of these opportunities. Be specific and provide examples.
By Day 6 of Week 9
Respond to at least two of your colleagues* on two different days by suggesting additional opportunities or recommendations for overcoming the challenges described by your colleagues.
*Note: Throughout this program, your fellow students are referred to as colleagues.
Submission and Grading Information
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Week 9 Discussion Rubric
Post by Day 3 and Respond by Day 6 of Week 9
To participate in this Discussion:
Week 9 Discussion
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Excellent |
Good |
Fair |
Poor |
Main Posting |
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Main Post: Timeliness |
Posts main post by day 3.
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Does not post by day 3.
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First Response |
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Second Response |
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Participation |
Meets requirements for participation by posting on three different days.
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Does not meet requirements for participation by posting on 3 different days.
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