The Use Of Clinical Systems To Improve Outcomes And Efficiencies

• Review the Resources and reflect on the impact of clinical systems on outcomes and efficiencies within the context of nursing practice and healthcare delivery.
• Conduct a search for recent (within the last 5 years) research focused on the application of clinical systems. The research should provide evidence to support the use of one type of clinical system to improve outcomes and/or efficiencies, such as “the use of personal health records or portals to support patients newly diagnosed with diabetes.”
• Identify and select 5 peer-reviewed articles from your research. The Use Of Clinical Systems To Improve Outcomes And Efficiencies
  

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In a 4- to 5-page paper, synthesize the peer-reviewed research you reviewed. Be sure to address the following:

• Identify the 5 peer-reviewed articles you reviewed, citing each in APA format.
• Summarize each study, explaining the improvement to outcomes, efficiencies, and lessons learned from the application of the clinical system each peer-reviewed article described. Be specific and provide examples. The Use Of Clinical Systems To Improve Outcomes And Efficiencies

Different Learning Styles

Learning styles represent the different approaches to learning based on preferences, weaknesses, and strengths. For learners to best achieve the desired educational outcome, learning styles must be considered when creating a plan. Complete “The VARK Questionnaire,” located on the VARK website, and then complete the following:

1. Click “OK” to receive your questionnaire scores.
2. Once you have determined your preferred learning style, review the corresponding link to view your learning preference.
3. Review the other learning styles: visual, aural, read/write, kinesthetic, and multimodal (listed on the VARK Questionnaire Results page).
4. Compare your current preferred learning strategies to the identified strategies for your preferred learning style.
5. Examine how awareness of learning styles has influenced your perceptions of teaching and learning. Different Learning Styles

In a paper (750-1,000 words), summarize your analysis of this exercise and discuss the overall value of learning styles. Include the following:

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1. Provide a summary of your learning style according the VARK questionnaire.
2. Describe your preferred learning strategies. Compare your current preferred learning strategies to the identified strategies for your preferred learning style.
3. Describe how individual learning styles affect the degree to which a learner can understand or perform educational activities. Discuss the importance of an educator identifying individual learning styles and preferences when working with learners.
4. Discuss why understanding the learning styles of individuals participating in health promotion is important to achieving the desired outcome. How do learning styles ultimately affect the possibility for a behavioral change? How would different learning styles be accommodated in health promotion?

Cite to at least three peer-reviewed or scholarly sources to complete this assignment. Sources should be published within the last 5 years and appropriate for the assignment criteria. Different Learning Styles

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.

Apply Rubric:

VARK Analysis Paper
1
Unsatisfactory
0.00%2
Less than Satisfactory
75.00%3
Satisfactory
79.00%4
Good
89.00%5
Excellent
100.00%80.0 %Content 20.0 %Personal Learning Styles According to VARK QuestionnairePersonal learning style content is missing. Personal learning style presented is not reflective of VARK questionnaire.Personal learning style according to the VARK questionnaire is identified, but summary is incomplete. Personal learning style according to the VARK questionnaire is identified and basic summary is provided. Personal learning style according to the VARK questionnaire is identified and described. Personal learning style according to the VARK questionnaire is identified and described in detail. Summary offers examples that display personal insight or reflection. 20.0 %Preferred Learning StrategiesPersonal learning strategy content is missing.Personal learning strategy is partially described. A comparison of current preferred learning styles and VARK identified learning styles is incomplete. Personal learning strategy is summarized. A comparison of current preferred learning styles and VARK identified learning styles is generally described. Personal learning strategy is described. A comparison of current preferred learning styles and VARK identified learning styles is presented.Personal learning strategy is clearly described. A comparison of current preferred learning styles and VARK identified learning styles is detailed. Overall discussion demonstrates insight into preferred learning strategies and how these support preferred learning styles.20.0 %Learning Styles (Effect on educational performance and importance of identifying learning styles for learners as an educator)Importance of learning styles for a learner, and importance of educator identifying individual learning styles and preferences when working with learners, is not presented.Importance of learning styles for a learner, and importance of educator identifying individual learning styles and preferences when working with learners, is partially presented. The importance of learning styles for learners participating in healthy promotion, and identifying them as an educator, is unclear. There are inaccuracies.Importance of learning styles for a learner, and importance of educator identifying individual learning styles and preferences when working with learners, is generally discussed. The importance of learning styles for learners participating in healthy promotion, and identifying them as an educator, is generally established. There are minor inaccuracies. More rationale or evidence is needed for support.Importance of learning styles for a learner, and importance of educator identifying individual learning styles and preferences when working with learners, is discussed. The importance of learning styles for learners participating in healthy promotion, and identifying them as an educator, is established. Some rationale or evidence is needed for support.Importance of learning styles for a learner, and importance of educator identifying individual learning styles and preferences when working with learners, is thoroughly discussed. The importance of learning styles for learners participating in healthy promotion, and identifying them as an educator, is clearly established. Strong rationale and evidence support discussion.20.0 %Learning Styles and Health Promotion (learning styles and importance to achieving desired outcome for learners, learning styles and effect on behavioral change, accommodation of different learning styles in health promotion) Understanding the learning styles of individuals participating in health promotion, the correlation to behavioral change and achieving desired outcomes, and the accommodation of different learning styles is not discussed.Understanding the learning styles of individuals participating in health promotion and the correlation to behavioral change and achieving desired outcomes is partially presented; a correlation has not been established. Different Learning Styles Accommodation of different learning styles is incomplete. There are inaccuracies.Understanding the learning styles of individuals participating in a health promotion, and the correlation to behavioral change and achieving desired outcomes is generally presented; a general correlation has been established. More rationale or evidence is needed to fully establish correlation. Accommodation of different learning styles is summarized.Understanding the learning styles of individuals participating in a health promotion, and the correlation to behavioral change and achieving desired outcomes is discussed; a correlation has been established. Accommodation of different learning styles is discussed. Some detail or minor support is needed.Understanding the learning styles of individuals participating in a health promotion, and the correlation to behavioral change and achieving desired outcomes is discussed in detail. A strong correlation has been established. Accommodation of different learning styles is discussed. The narrative demonstrates insight into the importance of learning styles to health promotion and behavioral outcomes. 15.0 %Organization and Effectiveness  5.0 %Thesis Development and PurposePaper lacks any discernible overall purpose or organizing claim.Thesis is insufficiently developed or vague. Purpose is not clear.Thesis is apparent and appropriate to purpose.Thesis is clear and forecasts the development of the paper. Thesis is descriptive and reflective of the arguments and appropriate to the purpose.Thesis is comprehensive and contains the essence of the paper. Thesis statement makes the purpose of the paper clear.15.0 %Organization and Effectiveness  5.0 %Argument Logic and ConstructionStatement of purpose is not justified by the conclusion. The conclusion does not support the claim made. Argument is incoherent and uses noncredible sources.Sufficient justification of claims is lacking. Argument lacks consistent unity. There are obvious flaws in the logic. Some sources have questionable credibility.Argument is orderly, but may have a few inconsistencies. Different Learning Styles The argument presents minimal justification of claims. Argument logically, but not thoroughly, supports the purpose. Sources used are credible. Introduction and conclusion bracket the thesis. Argument shows logical progressions. Techniques of argumentation are evident. There is a smooth progression of claims from introduction to conclusion. Most sources are authoritative.Clear and convincing argument that presents a persuasive claim in a distinctive and compelling manner. All sources are authoritative.15.0 %Organization and Effectiveness  5.0 %Mechanics of Writing (includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, language use)Surface errors are pervasive enough that they impede communication of meaning. Inappropriate word choice or sentence construction is used.Frequent and repetitive mechanical errors distract the reader. Inconsistencies in language choice (register), sentence structure, or word choice are present.Some mechanical errors or typos are present, but they are not overly distracting to the reader. Correct sentence structure and audience-appropriate language are used. Prose is largely free of mechanical errors, although a few may be present. A variety of sentence structures and effective figures of speech are used. Writer is clearly in command of standard, written, academic English.5.0 %Format  2.0 %Paper Format (use of appropriate style for the major and assignment)Template is not used appropriately or documentation format is rarely followed correctly. Different Learning Styles Template is used, but some elements are missing or mistaken; lack of control with formatting is apparent.Template is used, and formatting is correct, although some minor errors may be present. Template is fully used; There are virtually no errors in formatting style.All format elements are correct. 5.0 %Format  3.0 %Documentation of Sources (citations, footnotes, references, bibliography, etc., as appropriate to assignment and style)Sources are not documented.Documentation of sources is inconsistent or incorrect, as appropriate to assignment and style, with numerous formatting errors.Sources are documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, although some formatting errors may be present.Sources are documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, and format is mostly correct. Sources are completely and correctly documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, and format is free of error.100 %Total Weightage Different Learning Styles

Scholarly Paper About A Nursing Theory

The Paper Is To Be A Five To Six (5-6) Pages Total (Double-Spaced, 12 Font, 1 Inch Margins). Follow APA Guidelines For A Cover Sheet, Headers, Pagination, References, Etc. Use APA Format. This sample paper is meant to serve as an example of how your own paper should be constructed and what contents it should contain. Please review it closely and be sure that your paper has similar components and reflects the same ideas. Scholarly Paper About A Nursing Theory

Abstract

The paper gives a systematic assessment of the Katharine Kolcaba’s Comfort theory. The basis of the paper is to understand the theorist, and discuss the main concepts related to it. Above all the aim is to identify the theory’s application to clinical situations in institutional settings and its contribution to nursing research and practice. An overview, and the Comfort theory’s propositions, along with its conceptual definitions will be analyzed and studied. Along with certain research articles, Kolcaba’s Comfort theory’s applications, particularly, technical, coaching and comfort food for the soul will be explored. In addition, this paper provides examples where Nurse Practitioners can use Comfort Theory as a framework to provide holistic care to their patients. It is also noticeable that Katharine Kolcaba’s Comfort theory has been used in several institutions by the administration to develop policies and practices, with the interest of improving patient satisfaction and experience during their encounter within the organization. Scholarly Paper About A Nursing Theory

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Introduction

Born and educated in Cleveland, Ohio, Katharine Kolcaba, practiced as a nurse on several nursing units for many years. After completing her masters in nursing, and while working on the dementia unit as head nurse, Kolcaba started theorizing about comfort. During her doctoral studies, Kolcaba further developed her comfort theory study and later published a framework for dementia care. Later she added the operationalized comfort as an outcome of care and contextualized comfort in a middle range theory. Subsequently, Kolcaba tested her theory in varied intervention studies, and based on that she polished her theory to include hospital-based outcomes. Katharine Kolcaba has several and extensive publications where she has documented the process of her theory. She also has published a book Comfort Theory and Practice, where she has assembled her series of publications. Kolcaba currently works as a consultant of her own company, The Comfort Line, which advices health-care agencies in application of her Comfort Theory framework if they choose to apply it within their institutions (Smith & Parker, 2015)Scholarly Paper About A Nursing Theory.

 

Overview of the Comfort Theory

Comfort, according to Kolcaba, is an outcome of an intentional, patient/family based and focused quality care (Smith & Parker, 2015). Based on holistic care, Kolcaba developed four contexts in which patients can experience comfort, i.e. physical, psychospiritual, sociocultural and environmental. The three distinct types of comfort that Kolcaba focused were-Relief, Ease, and Transcendence. Relief is a feeling where a specific need that provides comfort is given. Ease is the state of being calm and content. Whereas transcendence relates to a state where patients can rise above their difficulties irrespective of life’s circumstances with the help of caregiver intervention.  All the four contexts and the three types of comfort are interrelated and have to be viewed holistically to get favorable outcomes. Health needs are those that the patients cannot meet on their own which sprout from varied stressful conditions.  Comfort interventions are all the steps considered to tackle the specific health needs Scholarly Paper About A Nursing Theory.

(“Comfort Theory,” n.d.)

The practical application of Kolcaba’s Comfort Theory was studied in cardiac patients in two case studies (Krinsky, Murillo, & Johnson, 2014). The comfort needs of cardiac patients were defined based on the four domains of Kolcaba’s Comfort theory and the interventions were outlined accordingly centered on the three comfort types. Quiet time intervention which was introduced to these cardiac patients aligned with the Comfort Theory taxonomy framework. Interventions based on physical, psychospiritual, environmental and socio-cultural domains were implemented in the case studies. Improved outcomes were noted in cardiac patients in terms of ease of pain, enhanced sleep, reduced agitation and anxiety, and enriched emotional support through family involvement Scholarly Paper About A Nursing Theory.

Another study that was conducted at two dialysis centers to determine the relationships between comfort and fluid retention was based on Kolcaba’s Comfort Theory framework (Estridge, Morris, Kolcaba, & Winkleman, 2018).  The study found out some interesting facts based on the theory of comfort. The study turned out to be clinically important as patients who pursued comfort interventions showed a greater trend of engaging in healthy behavior. Another fact pointed out was the different comfort needs based on race, religion, gender and lifestyle varied accordingly. In the study the nurses had to investigate distinctive characteristics and comfort needs to plan nursing care based on the comfort theory framework Scholarly Paper About A Nursing Theory.

Relevance

Personal Relevance

While working in the dementia unit, Kolcaba started developing her comfort theory in context of patient experience on that unit. It was during her doctoral degree program that she further expanded on her comfort theory framework and its outcomes. She later tested her theory in several interventions as a topic for her dissertation. Kolcaba confesses that it was Emily Dickenson’s poem that made her define her vision for nursing and comfort care theory (“Comfort Theory,” n.d.). The author, even today, utilizes her theory in her regular visits to homeless shelters, different healthcare organizations, and several research studies incorporating her comfort theory.

Relevance to healthcare

Comfort theory has great implications within todays healthcare scenarios. Most patients and family members are in stressful health related situations, comfort theory can be beneficial to such cases when nursing activities are planned in that direction. Nurses in todays world can take guidance from comfort theory to identify their patients and family needs and address them with interventions based within the comfort theory structure. Institutional administrators should value comfort care and implement policies and make strategies that will encourage nurses and other staff to deliver comfort measures to their clients. Kolcaba has developed several scales for documentation that include, verbal rating scale, a numeric diagram, comfort daises for children, a comfort behaviors checklist and many other questioners (Smith & Parker, 2015)Scholarly Paper About A Nursing Theory.

Relevance to research and practice

Kolcaba’s Comfort Theory has been used as a framework in many research studies. Kolcaba herself has participated and guided researchers through many studies that have applied her theory in different setups. Apostolo and Kolcaba’s guided imagery study for decreasing depression, anxiety and stress in psychiatric patients with depression using comfort theory framework, revealed significant improvement in clinical outcomes (Apostolo & Kolcaba, 2009). Taxonomic structure of Comfort developed by Kolcaba was used to design the interventions for the study. This example and many other studies have proved that utilizing Kolcaba’s Comfort theory can help patients have positive impact in their health behaviors and outcomes.

Summary

Strengths

The biggest strength of Kolcaba’s Comfort theory is its ease of use in any nursing setting. The taxonomic structure provided by Kolcaba is clear and easy to understand and thus helpful for nurses to develop their nursing plan of care accordingly. When nurses implement comfort care plans, patient and family satisfaction improves, thereby engaging them in health seeking behaviors. The comfort theory framework developed by Kolcaba is holistic in nature, thus helping improvise overall patient care. Several health institutions and hospitals are actively implementing comfort theory-based care in hope of improving their HCAHPS scores Scholarly Paper About A Nursing Theory.

Limitations

Although widely used in hospitals and for research purposes, Kolcaba’s theory has few limitations. Most of the times outcomes are subjective, hence limiting generalizability. Another limitation is the requirement of modification of framework when using in different nursing areas. Comfort theory framework is mostly used in nursing related areas; hence its use is limited to the staff who are educated about it and based on their scope of practice. Kolcaba’s comfort theory is good to be used to define comfort care of patients and families, but it’s difficult to agree whether it can be applicable in all healthcare settings.  The topic of comfort is subjective, hence depending on varied patient-nurse ratios it may be difficult and stressful for nurses to implement total comfort-based care Scholarly Paper About A Nursing Theory.

References

Apostolo, J. L., & Kolcaba, K. (2009). The Effects of Guided Imagery on Comfort, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress of Psychiatric Inpatients with Depressive Disorders. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 23, 403-411. http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.1016/j.apnu.2008.12.003

Conceptual Framework for Comfort Theory. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.thecomfortline.com

Estridge, K. M., Morris, D. L., Kolcaba, K., & Winkleman, C. (2018). Comfort and Fluid Retention in Adult Patients Receiving Hemodialysis. Nephrology Nursing Journal, 45, 25-34. Retrieved from https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Comfort+and+Fluid+Retention+in+Adult+Patients+Receiving+Hemodialysis.-a0529947941

Krinsky, R., Murillo, I., & Johnson, J. (2014, February 5). A practical application of Katharine Kolcaba’s comfort theory to cardiac patients. Applied Nursing Research, 27, 147-150. Retrieved from http://lib.ajaums.ac.ir/booklist/ARN199.pdf

Smith, M. C., & Parker, M. E. (2015). Nursing Theories and Nursing Practice (4th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis Company Scholarly Paper About A Nursing Theory.

Human Case Study: Evaluating and Managing Cardiovascular Conditions

Assignment: i-Human Case Study: Evaluating and Managing Cardiovascular Conditions Because cardiovascular conditions are preventable and manageable, it is important that the advanced practice nurse use both their understanding of the cardiovascular system and the impact of patient factors and behaviors that might increase patient risk of such conditions. This critical information can guide you in immediately identifying signs and symptoms that can inform differential diagnoses and lead to identification of appropriate treatment options and a treatment plan. Human Case Study: Evaluating and Managing Cardiovascular Conditions

For this Case Study Assignment, you will analyze an i-Human simulation case study about an adult patient with a cardiovascular condition. Based on the patient’s information, you will formulate a differential diagnosis, evaluate treatment options, and create an appropriate treatment plan for the patient.

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To prepare:

• Review this week’s Learning Resources. Consider how to assess, diagnose, and treat patients with cardiovascular conditions.
• Access i-Human from this week’s Learning Resources and review this week’s i-Human case study Fred O. MacIntyre V5 PC. Based on the provided patient information, think about the health history you would need to collect from the patient.  Human Case Study: Evaluating and Managing Cardiovascular Conditions
• Consider what physical exams and diagnostic tests would be appropriate to gather more information about the patient’s condition. Reflect on how the results would be used to make a diagnosis.
• Identify three to five possible conditions that may be considered in a differential diagnosis for the patient.
• Consider the patient’s diagnosis. Think about clinical guidelines that might support this diagnosis.
• Develop a treatment plan for the patient that includes health promotion and patient education strategies for patients with cardiovascular conditions.  Human Case Study: Evaluating and Managing Cardiovascular Conditions

Assignment

As you interact with this week’s i-Human patient, complete the assigned case study. For guidance on using i-Human, refer to the i-Human Patients Case Player Student Manual in the Week 1 Learning Resources.

By Day 7

Complete and submit your Assignment in i-Human.

Submission and Grading Information Human Case Study: Evaluating and Managing Cardiovascular Conditions

Word cloud generators have become popular tools for meetings and team-building events. Groups or teams are asked to use these applications to input words they feel best describe their team or their role. A “word cloud” is generated by the application that makes prominent the most-used terms, offering an image of the common thinking among participants of that role.

What types of words would you use to build a nursing word cloud? Empathetic, organized, hard-working, or advocate would all certainly apply. Would you add policy-maker to your list? Do you think it would be a very prominent component of the word cloud?

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Nursing has become one of the largest professions in the world, and as such, nurses have the potential to influence policy and politics on a global scale. When nurses influence the politics that improve the delivery of healthcare, they are ultimately advocating for their patients. Hence, policy-making has become an increasingly popular term among nurses as they recognize a moral and professional obligation to be engaged in healthcare legislation.

To Prepare:

• Revisit the Congress.gov website provided in the Resources and consider the role of RNs and APRNs in policy-making.
• Reflect on potential opportunities that may exist for RNs and APRNs to participate in the policy-making process. Discussion 2: The Role Of The RN/APRN In Policy-Making

By Day 3 of Week 8

Post an explanation of at least two opportunities that exist for RNs and APRNs to actively participate in policy-making. Explain some of the challenges that these opportunities may present and describe how you might overcome these challenges. Finally, recommend two strategies you might make to better advocate for or communicate the existence of these opportunities to participate in policy-making. Be specific and provide examples.

By Day 6 of Week 8

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

*Note: Throughout this program, your fellow students are referred to as colleagues. Everything should be in APA 7 formart. At least 3 references all  with DOI number and at least 3 paragraphs for mainpost and 2 for replies.’

Discussion for reply one  (Guy)

RNs and APRNs have crucial roles in health care to inform decisions of policy making. There are many opportunities that exist for nursing professionals to participate in policy making. According to Burke (2016), “It’s essential that policies exist that define and integrate appropriate standards for delivery of care and address conditions necessary for that care to occur. Through policy work, nurses can and should influence practice standards and processes to assure quality of care. Nurses who influence policy help share the care that will be provided today and tomorrow. Policies also impact resource allocation to support delivery of healthcare”.

One opportunity that exists for nurses to become active in policy making is to become a member of the American Nurses Association. According to Catallo, Spalding, & Haghiri-Vijeh (2014), “Policy products that the ANA offers include a “policy activist took kit”. As part of this took kit, RNs are provided with resources that include how to get involved in a political campaign, writing letters to the editor, how to engage politicians and carry out lobbying activities”. The article “Nursing Professional Organizations: What Are They Doing to Engage Nurses in Health Policy?” discusses how nurses can become engaged in health policy activities and how to address policy issues.

Another opportunity that exists for nurses to become active in policy making is to advance their education by becoming an APRN. According to Regis College (n.d), “Nurse practitioners have an opportunity to serve as advocates for patients, families, communities, other nurses, and health care organizations. Through this advocacy, nurse practitioners can influence health care policy. By gaining a comprehensive understanding in particular areas of health care, nurse practitioners are uniquely situated to support positions that will benefit out communities”. Becoming an APRN prepares your ability to participate in advocacy of health care policy making.

A strategy that can be used to promote nursing professionals involvement in policy making is to do so through nursing employers. For example, I would propose to create and implement a “Policy Committee” through my hospital organization to discuss the potential nurse advocacy benefits we can offer to policy making. In addition, as mentioned by Catallo et al,. (2014), to convey “Political awareness and understanding of the importance of being involved in nursing organizations, time to engage in policy development outside of nursing work, and resources to develop skills in policy participation”.

Another strategy that can be implemented to overcome to barriers of nursing involvement in policy making is to do so through nursing education. According to Short (2008), “The foundations for a professional understanding of health care policy should be well laid in formal education and synthesized with practice and work environments. Without time to promote synthesis of policy concepts related to the practice environment, nurses have no basis for further exploration and may remain naive to the influences of policy throughout their career”. If nursing students (RN or APRN) were exposed to health care policy and the influence their roles can have on policy making during their nursing education, there would be much more nursing involvement in health care policy that is needed today.  Discussion 2: The Role Of The RN/APRN In Policy-Making

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References

Burke, A. (2016). Influence Through Policy: Nurses Have a Unique Role. Retrieved October 18, 2020 from https://nursingcentered.sigmanursing.org/commentary/more-commentary/Vol42_2_nurses-have-a-unique-role.

Catallo, C., Spalding, K., & Haghiri-Vijeh, R. (2014). Nursing Professional Organizations: What Are They Doing to Engage Nurses in Health Policy? SAGE Open. https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244014560534

Regis College (n.d). How Does Nursing Influence Health Care Policy? Retrieved October 18, 2020 from https://online.regiscollege.edu/blog/how-does-nursing-influence-health-care-policy/

Short N. M. (2008). Influencing health policy: strategies for nursing education to partner with nursing practice. Journal of professional nursing: official journal of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. 24(5), 264–269. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2007.10.004

Discussion for reply two(Megan)

“The design phase of the policy process is the point at which the original intent of a solution to a problem is understood and the appropriate tools are employed to achieve policy success” (Milstead, 2019). The creation of policies, or presenting your idea, is how nurses can participate in policymaking. Actively working in the nursing field can help nurses see problems that arise and a better solution to patient needs. Bringing these ideas to congress to make changes will benefit the need of the patients. “Nurses’ influence in health policies protects patient safety, increases quality of care, and facilitates their access to the required resources and promotes quality health care” (Arabi et al., 2014).

Advocacy is another way that nurses can participate in policymaking. “We have been patient advocates in our interactions with doctors and administrators, why not with Congress“ (L. Phillips, 2020). Nurses should feel excited and empowered that they get to have a voice in the political world to make healthcare changes. Advocating for our patients is our duty, and I cannot think of a better way to do this than policy creation or changes. “As a component of professional nursing, active participation in the policy process is essential in the formulation of policies designed to provide quality health care at sustainable costs to all individuals” (Milstead, 2019).

Some of the challenges nurses face when getting involved with policymaking are getting push back from legislators and finding the evidence-based practice to support ideas. Nurses must band together and fight for what we know is right and what our patients need. Becoming an active member of a nursing organization can help support new policies or change old policies. Support strength comes in numbers. Having multiple people that share the same ideas will decrease pushback. Finding evidence-based practice to support our ideas may pose a problem, but putting in work to find or create research will be worth it, in the end, to help our patients with new or changed policies. Also, becoming a member of a nursing association can assist with finding or creating evidence-based practice. Discussion 2: The Role Of The RN/APRN In Policy-Making

The strategies I think will help advocate for these opportunities is being involved in a nursing association and providing courses like this to nurses. I know I spoke of nursing associations already, but I cannot think of a better way to come together and share our similar experiences and ideas to improve processes and policies to assist our patients. Providing courses like this to help educate nurses and get them involved in politics helps drive home the importance of our voices.

References

Arabi, A., Rafii, F., Cheraghi, M., & Ghiyasvandian, S. (2014, May 19). Nurses’ policy influence: A concept analysis. PubMed Central (PMC). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4061635/

Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Pg.  97

Phillips, R. (2003). Health Care Policy: The Nurse’s Crucial Role. American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing. https://www.aaacn.org/volunteer/teams/legislative/health-care-policy-nurses-crucial-role Discussion 2: The Role Of The RN/APRN In Policy-Making