Posted: December 12th, 2022

Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation Essay Example

Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation Essay Example

Nurses are very familiar with the evaluation process, as it is the last stage of the nursing process. However, the process of evaluating policy implementation is different from evaluating nursing interventions. During and after policy implementation, policies must be evaluated to determine their effectiveness and observe any unintended consequences (Milstead & Short, 2019). Evaluation can occur either formally or informally, but a formal review is the gold standard, as informal reviews may lead to skewed and inaccurate findings (Milstead & Short, 2019). Evaluation can also occur on an ongoing basis or as a final analysis, but doing both allows a better view of the whole picture (Yoder-Wise, 2019). Data can be collected during review or evaluation in various ways, such as interviews, focus groups, questionnaires, and literature reviews (Moule et al., 2017) Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation Essay Example. 

Post an explanation of at least two opportunities that currently exist for RNs and APRNs to actively participate in policy review.

One way that nurses can be involved in policy review is to join a committee within their organization. The hospital that I work at has numerous committees that implement small changes regularly. One of the changes recently implemented by a unit council (a council specific to each unit) was that nursing assistants would not be assigned patients. Before, nursing assistants were not assigned to patients. Instead, they just helped out where it was needed. Nursing assistants have tasks they need to take ownership of, but sometimes these tasks were not done, and patients’ needs were going unmet. An example of this is that foley catheter care was to be done twice daily by nursing assistants, but audits showed that it was not being done. Subsequently, patients were at increased risk for developing catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). The unit council voted to start assigning nursing assistants to specific patients. Our evaluation shows that foley care is being done more effectively now, and patients receive higher quality care Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation Essay Example.

Another way to participate in policy review is to join a professional nursing organization (Williams, Phillips, & Koyoma, 2018). Professional nursing associations advocate for causes on many different topics such as reducing gun violence, improving nurses’ health, safe staffing, and much more (American Nurses Association, n.d.). 

Explain some of the challenges that these opportunities may present and describe how you might overcome these challenges.

Many challenges may be faced through policy review or evaluation. One possibility is that during evaluation, nurses or other staff may feel that their work (or the quality of their work) is being evaluated as opposed to the policy itself (Moule et al., 2017). One way to overcome this is to engage a partnership with staff, ensure them of the policy’s purpose, and, therefore, the evaluation’s purpose (Moule et al., 2017) Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation Essay Example.

Other challenges include ethical dilemmas (Milstead & Short, 2019). Many professional organizations have created ethical guidelines for evaluation processes. Key considerations include beneficence, safety, autonomy, and justice, according to the ANA code of ethics (Milstead & Short, 2019). If patient data is involved, privacy should always be maintained per The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) (Milstead & Short, 2019). Most challenges can be avoided through thoughtful planning and implementation (Milstead & Short, 2019).

Recommend two strategies you might make to better advocate for or communicate the existence of these opportunities. Be specific and provide examples.

One of the great things about working at a magnet hospital is that the hospital encourages shared governance, a practice that empowers nurses to improve work experiences and patient outcomes (Joseph & Bogue, 2016). One way the hospital promotes shared governance is through committees. The hospital and committee members encourage other members of the hospital, especially nurses, to join these committees. One way my nurse manager advocates for these opportunities is through quarterly emails. She sends out emails asking if any staff members would like to join any hospital committees to make a difference Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation Essay Example.

Ways to advocate for joining a professional nurse organization include communicating the benefits of joining an association. These benefits include continuing education, networking opportunities, and improvement of the profession.

References

American Nurses Association. (n.d.). Advocacy. Retrieved April 23, 2021, from https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/advocacy/

Crumley, C. (2020). The Benefits of Active Engagement in Nursing Professional Organizations: A View From Here. Journal of Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1097/WON.0000000000000700

Joseph, M. L., & Bogue, R. J. (2016). A theory-based approach to nursing shared governance. Nursing Outlook, 64(4), 339–351. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2016.01.004

Moule, P., Armoogum, J., Douglass, E., & Taylor, D. J. (2017). Evaluation and its importance for nursing practice. Nursing Standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987), 31(35), 55–63. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.7748/ns.2017.e10782

Williams, S.D., Phillips, J.M., & Koyoma, K. (2018). Nurse advocacy: Adopting a health in all policies approach. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing 23(1). DOI: 10.3912/OJIN.Vol23No03Man01 Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation Essay Example.

Yoder- Wise, P. S. (2019) A framework for planned policy change. Nursing Forum 55(1), pp. 45-53. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1111/nuf.12381

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?

By Day 3 of Week 9

By Day 6 of Week 9

response 2

Unit councils are a great way for nurses to start the process of being involved in policy review. My neonatal intensive care unit has a unit based council (UBC) consisting of bedside nurses, nurse leaders, physicians and more that meets regularly to discuss issues affecting the unit and possible solutions. “Health policy can be used as an instrument to incentivize collaboration and teamwork where none previously existed” (Milstead & Short, 2019). Within your facility an issue presented itself that had the potential for patient harm and through interprofessional collaboration and policy review, your team was able to find a solution that was proven to be implementable and effective.  Your mention of nurses feeling their work is being evaluated instead of the policy was something I had not considered. I believe that if establishments provided nurses with the appropriate policy training, then there may be a decrease in those feelings. Turale and & Kunaviktikul (2019) discuss the importance of educating nurses about the policy process by providing them with policy training programs so nurses can confidently collaborate with other healthcare providers to help shape policies. In Health policy and politics (Laureate, 2018) it is discussed how important it is to be involved in a national association because they exert tremendous influence on the process, and how important it is to be an active member on boards and committees to become an expert in nursing. Being involved in facility committees can provide nurses the opportunity to help important stakeholders understand the issues being presented and what their impact would be Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation Essay Example.

References

Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Health policy and politics [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Turale, S., & Kunaviktikul, W. (2019). The contribution of nurses to health policy and advocacy requires leaders to provide training and mentorship. International Nursing Review, 66(3), 302-304. https://doi.org/10.1111/inr.12550

sample response 3

I enjoyed your post! The section that stood out to me the most was discussing ethical dilemmas in policy making. It is important when developing policies that ethical considerations are taken into account. Is the policy change going to promote the four areas of nursing ethics: autonomy, beneficence, justice and non maleficence (Knight et al., 2020)? Ethical considerations are important today regarding COVID vaccinations in particular. The United States is divided on this issue and there is a sample of the population to expects everyone to be vaccinated and a sample of the population who wants to have the choice to be vaccinated or not. Colleges are beginning to consider requiring students be vaccinated in order to attend their schools for example (Durand, 2021). Parents are upset by this as the vaccine has only been approved for emergency use and is not fully FDA approved at this time. The question then is…can a college require someone to get a vaccine that is not fully approved by the FDA? They understand that vaccines are normally required to attend schools but those vaccines have FDA approval. As a nurse I can see both sides of this coin and it is definitely a dilemma. One good thing (in my opinion) that has come out of the COVID lockdowns is that I feel we have realized that there is so much technology can do for us and it has opened the doors for many different platforms for learning and working Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation Essay Example.

References

Durand, L. (2021, April 16). Debate over universities mandating COVID-19 vaccination for students in the fall. UWIRE Text.

Knight, S., Hayhoe, B. W., Frith, L., Ashworth, M., Sajid, I., & Papanikitas, A. (2020). Ethics education and moral decision-making in clinical commissioning: an interview study. British Journal of General Practice, 70(690), e45–e54. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.3399/bjgp19X707129

sample response 4

Thank you for the in-depth discussion post this week! I enjoyed reading your thoughts on barriers and solutions in regards to nurses in the policy-making arena. I think all of us in the class agree that the two most effective methods for nurses to enter the policymaking world of healthcare is by joining nursing organizations and becoming more active within the company they work for. “Nursing organizations with legislative departments provide analysis on current issues in health policy and tips on how to communicate with legislators. Many also offer workshops on nursing advocacy, or legislative days at the state house, both excellent places to begin an advocacy career” (Oestberg, 2013). The groups or members within nursing organizations who are dedicated to policy change can provide a mentor for learning how the legislative aspect of healthcare works. Often a barrier to participation is the lack of understanding of how the process works Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation Essay Example.

I appreciate how you explained how working within a magnet status hospital changes a lot for nurses in policymaking. In my area of Hampton Roads, VA the major hospital system, Sentara, is working towards achieving magnet status at all of their hospitals. “A fundamental requirement of hospitals applying for Magnet status is that they must demonstrate an effective shared governance structure. Shared governance is a decision-making model focused on empowering the people who care for the patients” (Collins, 2017). As you stated, magnet status hospitals develop committees with all healthcare provider members, dedicated to reviewing, changing, and developing new healthcare policies within the hospital Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation Essay Example.

References 

Collins, R. (2017, October). Magnet hospitals and shared governance: Empowering frontline nurses. Vocera. https://www.vocera.com/blog/magnet-hospitals-and-shared-governance-empowering-frontline-nurses

Oestberg, F. (2013, May). Getting involved in policy and politics. Nursing 2020 Critical Care. https://journals.lww.com/nursingcriticalcare/fulltext/2013/05000/getting_involved_in_policy_and_politics.10.aspx Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation Essay Example