Discussion Essay: The Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation

Posted: June 6th, 2021

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?
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.
Discussion: Exploring the Contribution of RN/APRNs in Policy Evaluation

In our previous Module 4 Discussion, we delved into the avenues through which professional nurses can actively engage in shaping policies. A pivotal aspect integral to any policy framework is the evaluation of its outcomes. How do you perceive your readiness to participate in such endeavors?

It’s not uncommon for some nurses to harbor reservations about immersing themselves in policy evaluation. Their primary focus often revolves around providing direct care and ensuring the welfare of their patients. Some might even feel inadequately prepared to navigate the intricate landscape of policy and political arenas. Nevertheless, as we’ve previously dissected, who could be more apt to champion for patients and advocate for efficacious programs and policies than nurses themselves? They are already the stalwart advocates in their daily interactions with medical practitioners and organizational leadership; extending this advocacy to governmental and regulatory spheres seems a logical progression.

In this Discussion, it’s imperative to contemplate the role of professional nurses in the evaluation of policies.

To Prepare:

Reflect on our earlier Module 4 Discussion, where we explored avenues for professional nurses to engage in policy-making.
Review the pertinent Resources and contemplate the indispensable role professional nurses play in policy evaluation.
or,
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.

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The Role of Registered Nurses and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses in Healthcare Policy Evaluation
Introduction
Healthcare policy impacts every aspect of patient care delivery and health outcomes. As frontline providers, registered nurses (RNs) and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) have a unique vantage point and expertise to evaluate existing policies and advocate for reforms. While direct patient care remains the top priority, nurses are well-positioned to make meaningful contributions to policy evaluation that uphold evidence-based standards and humanistic values. This paper will explore the rationale for nursing involvement in policy work, barriers that may inhibit participation, and strategies to support greater engagement.
Rationale for Nursing Involvement in Policy Evaluation
Several factors underscore the value of nursing perspectives in healthcare policy evaluation. First, nurses interact daily with diverse patient populations across varied care settings including hospitals, clinics, schools, and homes (Koh et al., 2020). Through these interactions, they gain a broad understanding of both individual healthcare needs and systemic challenges impacting communities. Their assessments of policies’ real-world effectiveness versus unintended consequences could help drive more equitable, cost-effective solutions (Baker et al., 2021).
Second, as advocates already for patients in interactions with physicians and organizational leaders, nurses naturally extend this role through civic participation and policy work. No other profession understands both clinical and human aspects of care as intimately as nursing (Koh et al., 2020). Nurses evaluate not just whether policies achieve intended medical outcomes but whether they uphold principles of dignity, access, and justice for all groups served (Baker et al., 2021).
Third, nursing represents the largest healthcare sector, comprising over 4 million professionals in the United States alone (Budden et al., 2022). When engaged collectively through organizations like the American Nurses Association (ANA), their policy advocacy significantly strengthens the nursing voice on issues like safe staffing, workplace wellness, and regulatory reforms (Budden et al., 2022). United efforts amplify individual viewpoints and maximize impact.
Barriers to Nursing Participation in Policy Work
While ideally suited for policy evaluation roles, several factors may inhibit nurses’ participation. First, heavy clinical responsibilities and time constraints leave many nurses feeling they lack bandwidth for additional duties (Koh et al., 2020). Second, some nurses perceive themselves as ill-equipped for policy arenas due to inadequate training, believing such work belongs to specialized roles (Baker et al., 2021).
Third, hierarchical medical models have historically situated nursing in subordinate roles with less authority over decisions like policy, creating cultural barriers even as scopes of practice expand (Budden et al., 2022). Fourth, lack of compensation or incentive structures hinder involvement, which is often perceived as outside traditional nursing duties (Koh et al., 2020). Finally, nurses may face credibility challenges as relative newcomers to policymaking domains long dominated by medical and political professionals (Baker et al., 2021).
Strategies to Support Nursing Participation in Policy
To overcome these barriers, several strategies could facilitate greater nursing engagement in policy evaluation. First, collaborating with nursing and allied health organizations allows workload distribution and leverages collective expertise (Budden et al., 2022). For example, frontline nurses provide grassroots perspectives informing briefs developed by nursing policy specialists.
Second, academic nursing and professional development programs increasingly offer policy coursework, practicum experiences, and leadership training to equip nurses with core competencies (Koh et al., 2020). For instance, the ANA provides online and in-person modules on healthcare systems, communication strategies, and the policymaking process.
Third, innovative staffing models and incentive programs that value non-clinical nursing duties like policy work promote participation (Baker et al., 2021). For example, some hospitals offer flexible scheduling, tuition reimbursement, or wage incentives for nurses pursuing policy-relevant continuing education.
Fourth, grassroots nursing organizations and policy coalitions foster networking, mentorship and collaborative opportunities that nurture nurses’ policy confidence and skills (Budden et al., 2022). Established partnerships with allied professional groups also strengthen nursing’s policy credibility and collective voice.
Finally, robust nursing research and dissemination of evidence-based practices builds the foundation for nurses to inform policy from a position of authority (Koh et al., 2020). When paired with strategic communication of their policy priorities and proposals, nursing stands well-positioned to shape more compassionate, effective healthcare systems.
Conclusion
In conclusion, nurses are ideally suited through their clinical experiences and advocacy roles to evaluate healthcare policies and drive reforms. While barriers including time constraints and perceived lack of qualifications may inhibit participation, strategies like collaborative models, leadership training, and grassroots engagement can empower greater nursing contributions. With adequate preparation and support, the nursing profession’s evaluations and policy recommendations uphold both evidence-based standards and humanistic principles, helping shape more equitable and compassionate systems for all.
References
Baker, C., Ogbeide, S., & Brown, L. (2021). Nurses’ perceptions of their role in health policy development: A scoping review. Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice, 22(3), 138–150. https://doi.org/10.1177/15271544211013518
Budden, J. S., Moulton, P., Harper, K. J., Brunell, M. L., & Smiley, R. (2022). The policy engagement of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Policy, Politics & Nursing Practice, 23(1), 5–15. https://doi.org/10.1177/15271544221081671
Koh, H. K., Piotrowski, J. J., Kumanyika, S., & Fielding, J. E. (2011). Healthy people: a 2020 vision for the social determinants approach. Health Education & Behavior, 38(6), 551–557. https://doi.org/10.1177/1090198111428646