There are a multitude of ways DNP nurses can engage in the process of transforming healthcare and influencing the health policy agenda. At the novice level, APRNs may start their journey by reviewing literature and analyzing health policy research. This early stage lends itself well to developing an awareness and understanding of the issues, making this the first real meaningful step towards influencing the ways in which healthcare is organized, paid for and delivered. As they become more comfortable and knowledgeable about the process, DNP-educated APRNs may move on to make significant contributions to health policy by engaging in: Coalition Building Coalition building is an effective approach to obtaining legislative and regulatory approval for an organization’s policy agenda. Nursing organizations often form coalitions, either with each other or with other healthcare organizations. DNP nurses serve as the leaders of these coalitions, organizing the work of the coalition, and motivating the group to stay on target. Policy Intervention DNP nurses also have the ability to address policy intervention. Through their advanced knowledge and skills, they are prepared, informed, and empowered to support a healthcare policy that aims for safe, effective, patient centered, timely, efficient, and equitable care. Through their work in health policy, DNP nurses provide expert testimony, serve as content experts, and garner support from legislators during the process. According to The Doctor of Nursing Practice Essentials (3rd Edition, Zaccagnini and White), health policy is not just a legislative process but also a comprehensive method of identifying healthcare issues and then bringing those issues to the legislature and to the American public. DNP nurses develop policy agendas, embrace their core values, and learn the skills involved with making and influencing policy. Together, nurses make up the largest contingent in the healthcare system. This puts the nursing workforce in the unique position of being able to influence healthcare reform by offering guidance and support to elected leaders. Legislation Evaluation DNP nurses assess the success or failure of legislation through a formative evaluation of the policy process, answering such questions as: What were the political obstacles to policy legislation and implementation? How will the outcomes be measured? Is this plan sustainable? As the content of policy education is formalized within DNP programs, it is up to educators to demonstrate the relevance of policy in practice, including instructing APRNs on how to determine the basis for proposed policy changes.