course materials

1. Assignment: The Role of the RNAPRN in Policy Evaluation
Assignment: The Role of the RNAPRN in Policy Evaluation ON Assignment: The Role of the
RNAPRN in Policy EvaluationThere are several opportunities that exist for the RN/APRN to
actively participate in policy review. The first opportunity is through becoming a member of
a professional nursing organization that is involved in the political process. Two
professional nursing organizations involved in the political process are SIGMA and the ANA.
Both of these organizations offer the information and resources needed to be educated
about the policies as well as opportunities for involvement. Another opportunity to
participate in policy review is by evaluating a current policy that needs improvement and
contacting your local representative with a well-researched evidence-based proposal for
change. Assignment: The Role of the RNAPRN in Policy EvaluationBecoming a member of a
professional nursing organization is not challenging but, typically, does require payment.
There are some challenges with writing a well-researched evidence-based proposal for
change and presenting it to your local representative. This proposal requires time and
resources. If I were writing a proposal like this, I would enlist the help of my colleagues for
input and review.The two strategies that I used for communicating opportunities for nurses
to participate in policy making are also applicable for communicating the opportunities for
policy review. These strategies are the use of social media and through scheduled work
gatherings such as the monthly nurse’s meeting where we review necessary changes. Social
media is an invaluable tool for communication, discussion, and networking. There are
platforms specific to nursing involvement in politics. Social media is convenient as it allows
nurses to participate in the discussions when they are able to. Most nurses don’t work
Monday through Friday from 0900-1700. Assignment: The Role of the RNAPRN in Policy
EvaluationReferencesExpert Policy Analysis. (n.d.). Retrieved
from https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/nursi…Influence through policy:
Nurses have a unique role. (2020). Retrieved
from https://www.reflectionsonnursingleadership.org/commentary/more-
commentary/Vol42_2_nurses-have-a-unique-roleO’Connor, S. (n.d.). Using social media to
engage nurses in health policy development. JOURNAL OF NURSING MANAGEMENT, 25(8),
632–639.Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s
guide (6th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.Blessed NdiRE: Discussion – Week
9COLLAPSEWhile preparing for this discussion, I read an article by Barth, Guille, McCauley,
and Brady (2017), which reviewed clinical guidelines, practitioner training, and
government/payer policies that came forth in response to the national rise in prescription

2. opioid overdoses. Most nurses in their daily provision of care have seen firsthand the
increase in opioid overdose deaths. These same nurses have also seen the policy evaluation
results that have led to Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs) and a drastic
reduction in the prescription of opioids. Some RNs and APRNs possibly helped influence
this change through policy evaluation. The institutions where we work have an opportunity
for policy evaluation if we pay attention to the policies that affect the type of care we
provide and the outcomes. Assignment: The Role of the RNAPRN in Policy
EvaluationAnother opportunity is within nursing organizations like the American Society
for Pain Management Nursing (ASPMN), which works with the American Pain Society to
effect changes in pain management sometimes through the legislature. Nursing
organizations that can take part in policymaking can also take part in policy evaluation.
Being a member of Sigma Theta Tau, American Nurses Association, National League of
Nurses, Association of Public Health Nurses, etc. is an opportunity for policy evaluation.The
preference of many nurses is to focus on the care and well-being of their patients because
they do not feel comfortable stepping into policymaking or evaluation. However, if we
genuinely want the patients’ well-being, we must influence the legislation that affects it. The
opioid overdose death rate as mentioned earlier, is a good example. Another challenge that
most nurses face is a lack of time. Nurses tend to have the same devotion for their family
and friends as they have for their patients, making time availability a challenge. Nurses are
also continually trying to improve upon themselves through education. These commitments
allow very little or no time for anything else. Nurses need the will, the time, the energy, and
the political skills to “play the game” in the legislative arena (Public Health Policy
Simulation, 2019).The same methods nurses use for policymaking can be used for policy
evaluation. The main difference is carefully studying the results of the already enacted
policies alongside evidence-based practice and outcomes before making evaluation
proposals. Nurses can conduct quality improvement projects at their job and use the results
alongside evidence-based practice research to advocate for positive changes. Nurses can
write to their political representatives to advise them on the policy changes that they deem
necessary. In an open letter to physicians, a Minnesota legislator in 2017 sought in the
fight against opioid addiction. He ended the letter with these words “P.S. I am always
listening for better ways to address the opioid epidemic. I would love to hear from you
directly about how we can combat this crisis.” This tells me that legislators want to hear
proposals and evaluations from healthcare providers, and we should make use of such
opportunities.ReferencesBarth, K. S., Guille, C., McCauley, J., & Brady, K. T. (2017). Targeting
practitioners: A review of guidelines, training, and policy in pain management. Drug and
Alcohol Dependence, 173(Supplement 1), S22–S30. https://doi-
org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1016/j.d…Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy
and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.One
lawmaker’s plea: In an open letter to physicians, a Minnesota legislator seeks in the fight
against opioid addiction. (2017). Minnesota Medicine, 100(5), 17.(2019). Public Health
Policy Simulation. Journal of Nursing Education, 58(3), 178–181. https://doi-
org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.3928/014…Donna Hathorn WALDEN
INSTRUCTOR MANAGERRE: Discussion – Week 9COLLAPSEGood post Adeline, do you

3. intend on following your own suggestions? Has the course made you more aware of nurses’
role in policy making?REPLY QUOTE EMAIL AUTHORAssignment: The Role of the RNAPRN
in Policy Evaluation