Health Policy Advocacy for Safe Nurse Staffing in U.S. Hospitals

References Sources

• Aiken, L. H., Sloane, D. M., Barnes, H., Cimiotti, J. P., Jarrín, O. F., & McHugh, M. D. (2021). Nurse staffing and education and hospital mortality in nine European countries: a retrospective observational study. The Lancet, 397(10288), 1454–1460. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)32388-2

• Kutney-Lee, A., Brewer, C. S., & Lake, E. T. (2020). Staffing, Work Environment, and Workforce Outcomes Among Hospital Nurses: A Cross Study. Journal of Nursing Management, 28(4), 790–798. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.12965

• Kruse, C. S., Krowski, N., Rodriguez, B., Tran, L., Vela, J., & Brooks, M. (2019). Telehealth and patient satisfaction: a systematic review and narrative analysis. BMJ Open, 7(8), e016242. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016242

• Rittenhouse, D. R., & Shortell, S. M. (2021). Effects of Accountable Care Organizations on health care outcomes: a systematic review. Health Affairs, 40(10), 1645–1654. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2021.00768

• Yarnall, K. S. H., Skinner, G. H. C., & Grifell, F. (2022). Nurse advocacy: influencing policy outcomes in health care. Policy, Politics & Nursing Practice, 23(2), 72–84. https://doi.org/10.1177/15271544221077410

Course: NUR 420 – Health Policy & Advocacy in Nursing
Assessment Title: Health Policy Advocacy Paper & Policy Brief
Weight: 25% of course grade
Length / Word Count:

• Main paper: 2,500 words (±10 %)

• Policy brief: 2 pages
  Due Date: Week 10, by 11:59 PM (via LMS / Turnitin)
  Submission Format:

• Main paper: Word (.docx) or PDF

• Policy brief: separate 2-page PDF

• APA 7th edition referencing

• Turnitin plagiarism check enabled

Purpose / Rationale

This assignment helps students integrate scholarly analysis and real-world policy advocacy. You will select a current U.S. (or state) nursing or healthcare policy issue, analyze it using evidence, and craft a persuasive policy brief for decision-makers. The full paper demonstrates critical thinking, policy analysis, stakeholder mapping, and an advocacy roadmap grounded in evidence.

Learning Outcomes

By completing this assignment, you will be able to:

1. Analyze a health policy or legislative issue relevant to nursing or population health.

2. Map stakeholders and power relationships influencing policy change.

3. Synthesize peer-reviewed evidence to support policy proposals.

4. Design a concise, compelling policy brief targeted to decision-makers.

5. Write in clear, scholarly style with correct APA formatting and coherent structure.

Task Instructions

Part A: Policy Analysis Paper (~2,500 words)

Organize your paper under the following suggested headings:

1. Introduction / Problem Definition (~300 words)

   • Describe the policy issue you choose (e.g. safe-staffing mandates, full practice authority for APRNs, telehealth reimbursement, mental health access).

   • Explain its significance for patients, healthcare systems, and nursing.

2. Background & Policy Context

   • Historical evolution of the issue.

   • Key existing laws, regulations, or policies.

   • Federal, state, local context (whichever applies).

3. Stakeholder & Power Analysis

   • Identify main stakeholders (patients, nursing associations, payers, legislators, regulatory agencies).

   • Analyze their interests, influence, and ability to support or resist change.

   • Optionally include a stakeholder influence map.

4. Evidence Base / Literature Synthesis

   • Review recent (2019–2025) peer-reviewed research, reviews, guidelines pertinent to the issue.

   • Present data on outcomes, cost, risks, benefits.

   • Note evidence gaps or controversies.

5. Policy Options & Recommendation

   • Propose 2–3 policy alternatives/interventions.

   • Evaluate each (pros/cons, feasibility, resources needed).

   • Select and justify your recommended option(s).

6. Implementation Strategy & Advocacy Plan

   • Outline steps for implementation (legislative, regulatory, administrative).

   • Describe the role of nurses/nursing organizations in advocacy.

   • Anticipate barriers and propose mitigation.

   • Suggest evaluation metrics (outcomes, process indicators).

7. Conclusion

   • Summarize the need for change, reiterate your recommendation, and propose next steps.

Use subheadings, tables or figures (if helpful), and clear signposting. Tables/figures count toward word limit.

Part B: Policy Brief (2 pages)

Produce a standalone, concise policy brief (2 single-spaced pages) directed at a decision-maker (e.g. state legislator, health commissioner, hospital CEO). It should include:

• Title / Issue headline

• Executive summary (1 paragraph)

• Problem & evidence highlights (with key data)

• Your recommended policy

• Key stakeholder positions or endorsements

• Implementation steps / timeline

• Call to action (what you ask the decision-maker to do)

• References (3–5 key sources)

Use bullets, bolding, visuals (charts, boxes) where helpful. The brief should be persuasive, accessible, and visually clean.

Assessment Criteria / Rubric

You may self-assess your work using this rubric before submission.

Additional Notes & Requirements

• Use at least 5 peer-reviewed sources published between 2019–2025.

• You may also cite governmental or professional organization reports (e.g. CMS, ANA, state health agencies).

• Limit reliance on non-scholarly websites.

• Include at least one figure or table (e.g. stakeholder map, timeline).

• Late submissions incur a penalty (e.g. –5% per day) unless prior arrangement is made.

• Academic integrity: your work must be original and properly cited; plagiarism detection will be used.