Discussion: Role of the RN APRN in Policy Evaluation Essay

Discussion: Role of the RN APRN in Policy Evaluation Essay

Discussion: Role of the RN APRN in Policy Evaluation Essay

Healthcare policies are a collection of decisions, goals, and actions created to positively impact the health and wellbeing of the community. The scope of policies can be as small as teams within a healthcare institution to as broad as the entire nation. Nurses learn policies to enable them to increase positive outcomes during the process of care. For instance, they may reduce the risk of contracting a particular disease. Nurses can also use their knowledge and expertise to improve the efficiency of existing policies and propose future policies (Lee et al., 2018). Tobacco tax is an example of state healthcare policies. Tobacco smoking increases the risk of lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Upward adjustment of tobacco taxes aims to discourage the use of the product, hence improving health and wellbeing of the community. This discussion reviews the tobacco tax policy.

Tobacco taxes are considered among the most effective policies in discouraging the use of tobacco use especially among younger people (world Health Organization, 2021). Increasing the taxes increases the prices of the products, hence making them expensive. As such, it reduces the number of habitual smokers. The policy also helps to increase revenues for the government. The funds are used to finance other tobacco policies, such as community education. Each state of the United States determines the amount to tax to impose on tobacco products depending on its unique goals and objectives. The most effective criteria for measuring the effectiveness of the policy is determining the decrease in tobacco use after the implementation of the policy. A significant decline implies that the policy was highly successful. No change, on the contrary, implies that the policy was not successful, thus requiring some modifications.

Social determinants such as the impact of the policies on employment affect the policy. The Tobacco industry is a multibillion industry that provides employment for millions of Americans. A drop in revenues caused by the impacts of the tobacco taxes results in loss of employment (Sheikh et al., 2021). However, there is a need to balance between the economic and health benefits of the product. If it costs the country much more to treat tobacco related illnesses than the economic benefits of the product, it is justifiable to impose much higher taxes to discourage the cultivation and consumption of tobacco.

References

Lee, H.-F., Chiang, H.-Y., & Kuo, H.-T. (2018). Relationship between authentic leadership and nurses’ intent to leave: The mediating role of work environment and Burnout. Journal of Nursing Management, 27(1), 52–65. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.12648

Sheikh, Z. D., Branston, J. R., & Gilmore, A. B. (2021). Tobacco industry pricing strategies in response to Excise Tax Policies: A systematic review. Tobacco Control, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2021-056630

World Health Organization. (2021). WHO technical manual on tobacco tax policy and administration. Geneva: World Health Organization.

I enjoyed reading your post. Nurses must participate in the establishment of health policies, according to nursing organizations and healthcare professionals. Policy evaluation would provide a better understanding of a policy’s value, efficacy, and worth (Ellenbecker, et al., 2017). RNs and APRNS could take part in various chances to influence and change the health policy agenda during the policy review process.

Beginning with an analysis and assessment of the literature on health policy study, APRNS could start their evaluation process. According to Williams and Anderson (2018), APRNS could use their expertise to contribute intelligently to policy debates that seek to develop efficient and patient-centered health policies.

Both registered nurses (RNs) and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) make up a sizeable portion of the healthcare profession, giving the nursing workforce the unique ability to influence healthcare reforms by offering support and direction to elected officials in order to impact legislation. A number of nurses lack sufficient political knowledge. As a result, nurses should be permitted to attend some legislative proceedings to increase their expertise in formulating public policy.

Consequently, throughout the policy review process, RNs may provide expert evidence, serve as subject matter experts, and win over legislators. All policy assessments have difficulties, although some of these are unique to the evaluation procedure. These include a lack of resources or a hazy evaluation position. There may not be enough data to back up the position taken by nurses who are pushing for a policy change.

The presentation of developing data and feedback channels might be considerably improved through advocacy through regional nurse associations. Nurses can get the necessary expertise to assist the review of health policy by attending professional conferences and health meetings sponsored by nursing organizations.

The presentation of developing data and feedback channels might be considerably improved through advocacy through regional nurse associations. Nurses cam get the necessary expertise to assist the review of health policy by attending professional conferences and health meetings sponsored by nursing organizations (Williams & Anderson, 2018).

Through national organizations that are affiliated with the worldwide council of nurses, nurses might participate in politics. Research studies, governmental organizations, and nursing organizations might all provide extra knowledge to nurses. Additionally, organizations like the AN may provide written information on how to participate in politics and advocate effectively.

ORDER NOW FOR AN ORIGINAL PAPER ASSIGNMENT: Discussion: Role of the RN APRN in Policy Evaluation Essay

References

• Ellenbecker, C. H., Fawcett, J., Jones, E. J., Mahoney, D., Rowlands, B., & Waddell, A. (2017). A Staged Approach to Educating Nurses in Health Policy. Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice, 18(1), 44-56. https://doi.org/10.1177/152715441770925
• Williams, Janet K., and Cindy M. Anderson. “Omics Research Ethics Considerations.” Nursing Outlook, vol. 66, no. 4, July 2018 386-393, 10.1016/j.outlook. 2011

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.

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.

Evaluation Topic: The Affordable Care Act (ACA) and its impact on healthcare access and equity.

The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, was signed into law in 2010 with the intention of improving access to healthcare, lowering healthcare costs, and protecting consumers from unfair insurance practices (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [HHS], 2021). The ACA’s key provisions include Medicaid expansion, the establishment of health insurance marketplaces, and the provision of subsidies for individuals and families to purchase health insurance. This evaluation examines the ACA’s effectiveness in meeting its objectives and assesses its impact on various social determinants.

Criteria Used for Evaluation:

Insurance Coverage: The evaluation assesses how successful the ACA has been in expanding health insurance coverage to previously uninsured people and lowering the overall uninsured rate (Sommers, Gunja, Finegold, & Musco, 2015).

Affordability: The evaluation assesses individuals’ and families’ ability to afford ACA-mandated health insurance premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs (HHS, 2021).

Social Determinants Impact:

By expanding access to healthcare and providing financial assistance to vulnerable populations, the ACA has made significant strides in addressing social determinants of health. According to research, states that expanded Medicaid under the ACA saw significant reductions in uninsured people and improvements in healthcare access for low-income people (Sommers et al., 2015). Furthermore, the ACA has aided in the reduction of racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare coverage (Artiga, Orgera, & Damico, 2019).

However, many people continue to struggle with affordability, particularly those in states that did not expand Medicaid and those with high out-of-pocket costs (HHS, 2021). Social determinants such as income, race, and geographic location continue to have an impact on people’s ability to access affordable, high-quality healthcare, and these factors should be considered in future evaluations and policy changes.

The role of professional nurses in this policy evaluation.

Professional nurses are critical in assessing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) policy, ensuring that it meets the needs of patients and contributes to improved healthcare access, affordability, and quality (American Nurses Association [ANA], 2021). Their unique perspective and understanding of patient needs, health disparities, and healthcare systems can significantly inform the ACA’s effectiveness evaluation.

Assess the ACA’s impact on patient care: Nurses can monitor and evaluate how the ACA affects patient care, such as access to healthcare services, preventive care, and chronic condition management (Coffman, 2021).

Examine how the ACA has influenced nursing practice, such as changes in nurse-to-patient ratios, scope of practice, and interdisciplinary collaboration (Mason, Gardner, Outlaw, & O’Grady, 2016).

Conduct ACA outcomes research: Nurses can participate in research to assess the ACA’s effectiveness in improving healthcare coverage, reducing disparities, and promoting health equity (Artiga, Orgera, & Damico, 2019).

Advocate for ACA policy changes: Based on their experiences and evaluation findings, professional nurses can advocate for ACA policy changes to address gaps in coverage, affordability, and quality of care (ANA, 2021).

Professional nurses can help ensure that the ACA policy meets its objectives, addresses health disparities, and supports the provision of quality care to all individuals by actively participating in policy evaluation.

References:

American Nurses Association. (2021). Policy & Advocacy. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/advocacy/Links to an external site.

Artiga, S., Orgera, K., & Damico, A. (2019). Changes in Health Coverage by Race and Ethnicity since the ACA, 2010-2018. Kaiser Family Foundation. https://www.kff.org/racial-equity-and-health-policy/issue-brief/changes-in-health-coverage-by-race-and-ethnicity-since-the-aca-2010-2018/Links to an external site.

Coffman, S. (2021). The Role of Nurses in Health Policy and Advocacy. NurseJournal.org. https://nursejournal.org/community/the-role-of-nurses-in-health-policy-and-advocacy/Links to an external site.

Mason, D. J., Gardner, D. B., Outlaw, F. H., & O’Grady, E. T. (2016). Policy and Politics in Nursing and Health Care (7th ed.). Elsevier.

By Day 3 of Week 9

Post an explanation of at least two opportunities that currently exist for RNs and APRNs to actively participate in policy review. 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. Be specific and provide examples.

Also Read:

NURS 6050 Discussion: Presidential Agendas

NURS 6050 Assignment: Agenda Comparison Grid and Fact 

NURS 6050 Discussion: Politics and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

NURS 6050 Assignment: Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement