Posted: May 1st, 2025

discussion nursing

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.

Select an existing healthcare program or policy evaluation or choose one of interest to you.

• Review community, state, or federal policy evaluation and reflect on the criteria used to measure the effectiveness of the program or policy described.

Post an evaluation topic and a brief description of the evaluation. Discuss how social determinants impact this issue.-

Previous Discussion about policy making
Nurses may influence policy due to their vital role in healthcare. Policies to enhance healthcare
delivery are increasingly led by RNs and APRNs. The American Nurses Association may assist.
The ANA helps nurses influence health policy and legislation via tools and advocacy. Nursing
professionals may network, campaign for change, and study policies by joining these groups.
The ANA’s Advocacy website gives nurses the tools and knowledge they need to impact policy
(American Nurses Association, n.d.). This collaboration enhances the nurse’s voice and ensures
that their thoughts are included in policy choices, resulting in more effective and complete health
policies.
RNs and APRNs may also impact policy by personally interacting with politicians and
policymakers. At public hearings, nurses may testify on health laws and address vital healthcare
concerns with politicians. These initiatives allow nurses to share their knowledge and influence
patient care policies. Nurses may follow legislation and find policy involvement opportunities on
Congress.gov (Congress.gov, n.d.). Close contact with lawmakers ensures that healthcare
practitioners’ practical knowledge is considered in legislation. These actions allow nurses to fight
for legislation that enhances patient outcomes and healthcare systems, demonstrating their
passion for their patients and profession.
But these possibilities also come with risks. Time and resources are significant issues. Longworking nurses may struggle to find time for policymaking. The nursing job is hard, leaving little
time for other duties. Navigating the legislative process is complicated and takes expertise.
Employers and professional groups may help nurses overcome these problems. Nurses may
participate in policymaking with flexible schedules and resources from employers. Healthcare
organizations should support policy and advocacy courses or provide nurses who advocate
compensated time off. Nurses may learn advocacy skills from professional organizations via
training and mentoring (Klein & Sorra, 1996). Nurses may know about the legislative process
through these programs and become effective advocates for their profession and patients.
Two measures may help promote these chances. First, social media may encourage nurses to
engage in policymaking and educate them about possibilities. Professional groups and nurses
may share success stories on social media to inspire others. Social media campaigns may help
raise awareness of nurses’ policymaking role, bolstering their advocacy efforts. Second, policy
education in nursing courses prepares students for advocacy. Educational institutions may teach
nurses health policy and legislative procedures to help them make policy (Office of Policy,
Performance, and Evaluation, 2019). To provide students with hands-on experience, these
courses may incorporate congressional hearing simulations or local policymaker interactions.
These techniques may help nurses influence healthcare policy and advocate for patients and
communities. These activities will train nurses to engage in policymaking and encourage and
empower them to reform the healthcare system.
References
American Nurses Association. (n.d.). Advocacy. Retrieved September 20, 2018, from https://
www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/advocacy/
Congress.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2018, from https://www.congress.gov/
Links to an external site.
Klein, K. J., & Sorra, J. S. (1996). The challenge of innovation implementation. Academy of
Management Review, 21(4), 1055–1080.
Office of Policy, Performance, and Evaluation. (2019). The CDC policy process. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/policy/polaris/
policyprocess/index.html
Links to an external site.