NR554 Week 8 Discussion, Future Work

Future Work NAME Chamberlain College of Nursing NR554: Nurse Leader in Healthcare Policy DATE How do you envision using concepts and skills learned in this course in your future work as a healthcare-policy nurse leader? Week 8: Future Work The AACN (2011) developed the ‘Essentials of Master’s Education’ in order to identify the knowledge and skills that all nurses prepared in master’s nursing programs should acquire. The AACN “recognizes that the masters-prepared nurse is able to intervene at the system level through the policy development process and to employ advocacy strategies to influence health and health care” (2011). I now understand that health policy nurses are not just advocates, but we are leaders, researchers, change agents, lobbyist, and activists. The concepts I learned during this course will impact every aspect of my nursing career and education now and in the future. Throughout this course, I feel that I have developed a deeper understanding of how healthcare policy nurses use in-depth knowledge of the history, structure, theory, and process of health policymaking in the United States to shape and develop policy changes in the political arena. As I continue to develop strong leadership skills in critical thinking, effective communication, problem solving, and negotiation within my organization I can organize and lead initiatives to identify problems in patient safety and health disparities; devise and implement a plan for improvement utilizing evidence-based research, professional standards, and clinical guidelines to track improvement over time; and make necessary adjustments to realize established goals of improved outcomes (Abood, 2007; Grady & Hinshaw, 2011). I can influence patient outcomes and the nursing profession by shaping and developing policy changes at the organizational level. As a leader in health policy, I can adequately inform other healthcare stakeholders about the necessary changes or initiatives that should be implemented within the organization to improve patient outcomes. I’ve learned the importance of joining a professional practice organization at the state and national level to learn about healthcare policy issues and participate in healthcare advocacy as a group or coalition. Nurses are impacted by the policy and politics of the health care arena, including the laws and regulations that govern practice, the rise in the uninsured patient population, and the consumer view of the nursing profession. We know the problems and need to be involved in crafting the solutions. Good luck to everyone in your next course and future endeavors as a healthcare policy nurse and advocate! Carole B. References Abood, S. (2007). Influencing health care in the legislative arena. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 12(1). American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2011, March 21). The Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing. Retrieved from Grady, P. A., & Hinshaw, A. S. (2011). Shaping Health Policy Through Nursing Research. New York: Springer Publishing Company. RESPONSE TO PEER POST: Penny, Don’t estimate the power you possess to influence policy-decision makers, in the government or in your institution. The most important trait of a nurse in the healthcare policy arena is a desire to make a real difference. As nurses, we are the entry points and front lines of care across all sectors of health systems. Thus, we are well positioned in our clinical and administrative roles to recognize and put a name to issues, problems and system gaps. The lessons we learned can be used to identify public policy implications in our everyday practice. You can use your organization’s Government Relations Office as a resource to tap into health policy resources for policy development and to become involved in the policy process at a local or state level. Regardless of our practice setting, there are public policies and legislative initiatives that influence the scope of nursing practice and the need to improve patient outcomes. If you believe that healthcare can be improved, and you want to help make that happen, then you can learn the rest of what you need to know. Good Luck! Carole B.