Nursing Policy To Law: Understanding The Transition Process

Nurses are the largest group of healthcare providers, and their hands-on experience gives them a valuable perspective on patient care, staffing ratios, and how the healthcare system affects patients' lives. Nurses can advocate for healthcare policy changes in several ways, including joining nursing associations, attending legislative sessions, building relationships with lawmakers, and providing evidence-based data to inform policymaking. In the US, each state has its own Board of Nursing (BON) that regulates nursing practice and enforces nursing laws and regulations. These laws are defined in the Nursing Practice Act (NPA), which is interpreted into regulations by each state and territorial nursing board. Nurses should be familiar with the NPA and other relevant laws and regulations to ensure they are providing care that meets the legal standard of care and to minimise the risk of malpractice suits.

The role of the nurse advocate

Nurses act as advocates for their clients by protecting their rights and voicing their needs. Nurses have a long history of advocating for professional nurses' value and knowledge and fighting for the implementation of best practices, safety measures, and other quality improvements.

Nurses have the opportunity to influence policy at every level of decision-making. They can advocate for improved access to basic healthcare, enhanced funding of healthcare services, and safe practice environments by participating in policy discussions. Nurses also participate in state and national policy discussions affecting nursing practice. For example, nurses advocate for the removal of practice barriers so that they can practice according to their education, certification, and licensure.

Nurses must view themselves as knowledgeable professionals who have the power to influence policy and decision-makers. Nurses can advocate for improved policies through various pathways, such as becoming involved in professional nursing organizations, engaging in conversations with local, state, and federal policymakers on healthcare-related issues, and participating in shared governance committees regarding workplace policies.

Nurses can also advocate for their clients by ensuring their safety, giving them a voice, educating them on how to manage their conditions, protecting their rights, double-checking for errors, and connecting them to resources.

Nurses can further advocate for issues in their communities and their organizations. They can address social determinants of health, such as improving safe housing and public transportation, decreasing discrimination and violence, and increasing access to nutritious foods and physical activity opportunities. Nurses can also advocate for organizational issues in the nursing profession and the workplace through participation in unions, collective bargaining, workplace advocacy models, and professional organizations.

Steps to becoming a nurse advocate

To become a nursing advocate, identify causes, issues, or needs where you can exert influence. Here are some steps to follow:

• Identify a problem that interests you.
• Research the subject and select an evidence-based intervention.
• Network with experts who are or could be involved in making the change.
• Work hard for change.

Nurses are in a powerful position to be effective advocates. As frontline care providers, they provide a unique and knowledgeable perspective on healthcare delivery, client experience, and the work environment. As the largest sector of the healthcare workforce, nurses have the opportunity to influence policy at every level of decision-making.

How nurses can influence health policy

Nurses are the largest group of healthcare providers and are, therefore, well-positioned to influence health policy. However, they are often not involved in policy-making processes, even in the clinical context. Nurses can increase their participation in health policy-making by developing empowering programs and gaining experience in policy development processes.

Nurses can influence health policy in several ways. Firstly, they can initiate policy proposals, change or veto others' proposals, and influence the implementation of health policy. Secondly, they can utilise their unique position to share their expertise and knowledge when meeting with power players to educate them, urge them to take action, and hold them accountable. Thirdly, they can become involved in self-governance within hospitals, which presents opportunities to participate in clinical governance at a local level. Fourthly, they can join nursing professional associations, which offer more resources and more effective strategising than individual nurses. Finally, they can use social media to engage and impact public policy with limited barriers to entry.

Why nurses should be involved in policy efforts

Nurses are the largest group of healthcare providers and are responsible for delivering qualitative care to people. They are well-positioned to influence policy that affects staffing and patient care and should be involved in policy efforts for several reasons.

Firstly, nurses have a valuable, hands-on perspective on patient care, staffing ratios, and how the healthcare system affects patients' lives. They are often the first providers to see when the healthcare system is not effectively meeting patient needs. As such, their comments can be considered valuable sources for policy development.

Secondly, different health policies have direct effects on nurses. Policies should ensure a supportive work setting for nurses, and nurses can play a key role in professional development and contribute to the formation of efficient health policies. Nurses can help connect the dots between policy engagement, research, and practice. For example, improved access to cancer screening services for breast cancer happened because organizations advocated for legislation to fund these resources.

Thirdly, nurses can utilize their expertise and knowledge when meeting with power players to educate them, urge them to take action, and hold them accountable. They can bring their understanding of nursing, healthcare, and patient safety to promote and achieve their policy goals. Nurses have one of the better views of the healthcare challenges facing providers and patients and the very real impact of problems within the healthcare system, such as nursing shortages.

Lastly, nurses can help interpret research for their state and federal senate and house representatives. They can develop short analyses of current research in layperson's terms with their recommendations for policy decisions that affect healthcare.

By being involved in policy efforts, nurses can increase their participation in health policy-making and play efficient roles in reshaping healthcare.

How to get involved in health policy

Nurses are often the first to see when the healthcare system is not meeting patient needs effectively. They are in a unique position to share their expertise and knowledge when meeting with power players to educate them, urge them to take action, and hold them accountable. Here are some ways to get involved in health policy:

• Join a national nursing organization: National nursing organizations, such as the American Nurses Association, work with lobbyists to promote agendas that protect patient care and nursing staff. These organizations also maintain a list of members who agree to write letters and make phone calls to their state and federal representatives.
• Attend legislative sessions: By attending legislative sessions, nurses can learn how the system works and understand how decisions are made. This allows them to influence policymaking in a manner that legislators and lobbyists understand.
• Build relationships with state lawmakers: Developing relationships with lawmakers who work on healthcare bills can help influence their thinking. Nurses can start by calling or writing to their state legislator, which opens the door for a two-way conversation.
• Participate on national boards: After gaining some experience working with a nursing organization or legislators, nurses may be appointed or invited to work on a national board that influences healthcare policy.
• Collaborate with lobbyists: Nurses can consider becoming lobbyists themselves or collaborating with lobbyists by providing them with evidence-based information to convince legislators to take positions that will improve the healthcare system.
• Contribute evidence-based data: Nurses can help interpret research and provide evidence-based data to state and federal senate and house representatives, as it is easier for politicians to interpret medical literature with a healthcare background.
• Subscribe to legislative notifications: By subscribing to legislative notifications, nurses can stay informed about upcoming meetings and committees that may impact healthcare policy.
• Support a local candidate: In the months leading up to an election, nurses can support a local candidate whose views align with theirs. They can also work with the candidate after they are elected to influence their ideas and beliefs.
• Educate the public about the process and policies: Most people are unaware of the policymaking process. Nurses can use social media platforms to gather a following of like-minded individuals interested in influencing policy decisions and share their knowledge.

The impact of nursing policy on patient care

Nursing policy has a significant impact on patient care, influencing the quality of care and patient outcomes. Nurses are at the frontline of healthcare, offering a unique and expert perspective on the health care system. They play a crucial role in improving public health and patient safety.

Nursing policies shape the environment in which nursing is practised and determine how documents are kept or shared. They set standards for nursing education, licensure, and continuing education, ensuring nurses are competent and up-to-date with the latest advancements. Nursing policies also outline the scope of nursing practice, defining the roles and responsibilities of nurses.

Nurses have a key role in identifying and addressing health disparities, advocating for health equity, and improving patient outcomes. They work towards improving the quality of care, ensuring it is safe, effective, and accessible to all. Nursing policies can help ensure nurses have the necessary resources and support to provide optimal patient care.

Additionally, nursing policies can influence care coordination, with nurses playing a vital role in connecting different aspects of patient care. This includes coordinating with other healthcare professionals, such as physicians, and ensuring a seamless continuum of care for patients.

Furthermore, nursing policies can impact patient care by promoting evidence-based practice. Nurses can advocate for the use of research-backed interventions and treatments, enhancing the quality and effectiveness of patient care.

Nurses also have a role in policy advocacy, where they can influence healthcare policies and regulations. By engaging with policymakers and elected officials, nurses can shape health policies that affect patient care. This includes advocating for safe staffing levels, resources, and patient information that is accessible and easy to understand.

Overall, nursing policies have a direct impact on patient care by setting standards, promoting safe practices, and influencing the quality and accessibility of healthcare services.

Frequently asked questions