Respond to at least two of your colleagues* on two different days by suggesting additional opportunities or recommendations for overcoming the challenges described by your colleagues.

The Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation

 Respond to TO THIS POST by suggesting additional opportunities or recommendations for overcoming the challenges described by your colleagues.  

  This is the post to respond to.

There are opportunities that exist for RNs and APRNs to actively participate in policy review.. One opportunity that exists for RNs and APRNs is to become a member of a professional nursing organization such as the American Nurses Association or the American Cancer Society. Often times, nurses are not motivated to participate in policy because there are many individuals writing policies that do not have health care knowledge and it can be intimidating to work with them. According to Matthews (2012), "Members and experts from many specialty organizations work with ANA lobbyists in the U.S. Congress and the various state legislatures to inform and persuade legislators concerning the needs of nursing and the general public regarding healthcare issues and quality care. 

               Another opportunity that exists to become involved in policy review for RNs and APRNs is to become a member of your state nurses association. Many state nurses associations hold positions for nurses to be a part of reviewing different health care policies. The challenge that is posed by this type of involvement in policy review is that it is a time consuming position and it can be difficult to balance that and a full time RN or APRN job. According to the Delaware Nursing Association (n.d), "DNA takes appropriate action whenever necessary to recommend and/or promote legislation (including statutory and administrative laws, executive policies standards, regulations, rulings, and legal decisions) which affect the interest of healthcare consumers, the nursing professional and support the mission and goals of DNA. The advocacy committee is charged with monitoring and participating in policy related to health care, the workplace, patient care, and many other areas where nurses are engaged". 

               I believe that the opportunities that are available for RNs and APRNs to become more involved in policy review should be advocated by employers and by state boards of nursing. Employers should promote and foster the relationship of its nursing staff becoming more involved in health care policy making and review. After all, nurses are on the front lines and have a great deal of knowledge to share when it comes to policies in health care. According to Burke (2016), "More than ever, nurses are present in every healthcare setting and possess a unique role in formulating policy".  

References 

Burke, S. (2016). Influence through policy: Nurses have a unique role. Retrieved October 23, 2020 from https://nursingcentered.sigmanursing.org/commentary/more-commentary/Vol42_2_nurses-have-a-unique-role

Delaware Nurses Association (n.d). Advocacy Committee. Retrieved October 23, 2020 from https://www.denurses.org/Committees

Matthews, J., (January 31, 2012) "Role of Professional Organizations in Advocating for the Nursing Profession" OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing Vol. 17, No. 1, Manuscript 3.