Two Opportunities for RNs and APRNs to Actively Participate in Policy Making

Role of RNs and APRNs in Policy Making Discussion Paper

Nurses have relentlessly impacted the healthcare sector in diverse ways, including policy-making and implementation through their professional organizations and individual views on healthcare issues. Understanding their input in the policy process as a concept, RNs and APRNs plays an integral role in policy making in the health industry, with their influence on the process impacting overall patient outcomes and workplace dynamics. Recognized as critical stakeholders in the health industry, nurses’ participation in policy-making can be the difference between effective care delivery and a positive patient experience. This paper discusses opportunities for nurses in policy-making, challenges they encounter, possible countermeasures, and best ways to educate them on the existence of opportunities to participate in the policy-making exercise. Role of RNs and APRNs in Policy Making Discussion Paper

Nursing organizations are professional bodies representing nurses, offering them one voice in influencing the nursing practice, knowledge development, creating and influencing change, and gaining personal growth in their career. One opportunity for nurses to participate in policy making is through joining or becoming a member of a nursing professional organization such American Nursing Association (ANA) (Milstead, & Short, 2019). The professional associations do not give nurses a voice to give their views and feedback on care delivery and experience when they interact with patients, but it trains them on how to influence and participate in the policy-making process. Secondly, their position and number in the healthcare setting give them an upper hand to influence aspects such as resource allocation and support care delivery compared to patient needs. They are uniquely positioned to be critical players in