Posted: June 22nd, 2022

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.
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Policy Evaluation

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Policy Evaluation
Policy evaluation is a crucial aspect within the nursing industry that should involve the active participation of both RNs and APRNs to advocate for the patients as well as the implementation of effective programs and policies. By influencing the respective practice standards, the nurses are in a position to promote and assure the quality of care (Kilpatrick et al., 2015). These policies also impact the approaches involved in the allocation of resources, which means that they affect the nurses in one way or the other. One of the opportunities that currently exist for nurses to actively participate in policy review is the involvement in governing boards that are motivated by safety. The other opportunity is the establishment of an organizational culture that focuses on the continuous strengthening of the patient’s safety (Moss, Seifert & O’Sullivan, 2016). Such opportunities are predominantly present, although the active participation of nurses requires their perception of being professionals that have the ability to influence both the future and current delivery systems in the healthcare industry.
Despite the availability of these opportunities, they are also associated with various challenges. One of these challenges is the complexity of the process that is involved in joining leadership groups. Besides, some of the nursing associations are characterized by poor leadership. To overcome these challenges, it is imperative to have competent and effective training programs that would create better nurse-leaders (Joel, 2017). Moreover, there is a need to educate the RNs and APRNs on the importance of team work and effective communication within the workplace.
One of the strategies that would advocate the existence of these opportunities is the adoption of competent leadership approaches. With the right leadership style within the workplace, the nurses are in a position to raise their concerns while providing their suggestions and criticism. The other strategy is harnessing nurse leadership across the respective levels of governance and administration.

References
Joel, L. A. (2017). Advanced practice nursing: Essentials for role development. FA Davis.
Kilpatrick, K., Reid, K., Carter, N., Donald, F., Bryant-Lukosius, D., Martin-Misener, R., … & DiCenso, A. (2015). A systematic review of the cost effectiveness of clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners in inpatient roles. Can J Nurs Leadership, 28(3), 56-76.
Moss, E., Seifert, P. C., & O’Sullivan, A. (2016). Registered nurses as interprofessional collaborative partners: Creating value-based outcomes. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 21(3).