Peer Response – The Role of the RNAPRN in Policymaking
Response 1
Hello,
This is a very informative post. Your suggestions for engaging in policymaking and overcoming challenges are valuable. Joining nursing associations and organizations and engaging in grassroots advocacy and lobbying can empower RNs and APRNs to influence healthcare policies positively. It’s worth considering the importance of building grassroots networks within local communities to enhance these approaches further. These connections can provide a strong foundation for advocacy efforts, allowing nurses to directly represent their constituents’ concerns to policymakers. Additionally, leveraging technology and social media platforms is crucial in today’s digital age (Koch & Washington-Brown, 2021). Using these tools can help nurses reach a broader audience, raise awareness, and generate pressure on policymakers.
Furthermore, developing public speaking skills and collaborating with legal experts can boost the effectiveness of advocacy efforts. Finally, participating in health forums and policy events can provide direct access to policymakers, making it easier to voice concerns and contribute to policy discussions (Haney, 2023). By combining these additional opportunities with your initial recommendations, nurses can be more influential in shaping healthcare policies that benefit patients and the nursing profession.
References
Haney, B. (2023). Influencing health policy: A vital aspect of the APRN role. The Nurse Practitioner, 48(10), 9-13. 10.1097/01.NPR.0000000000000094
Koch, J. A., & Washington-Brown, L. (2021). Health Policy and the Nurse Practitioner. Role Development for the Nurse Practitioner, 367.
Response 2
Hello,
Thank you for your post. Your insights into nurses joining organizations and participating in local policymaking are commendable. Consider these additional opportunities and recommendations to empower RNs and APRNs further and address the challenges you have highlighted. Firstly, mitigating the cost of joining nursing organizations by encouraging nurses to explore budget-friendly online resources these associations provide, including webinars and discussion forums, to stay engaged in policymaking without the financial burden of membership fees. Secondly, addressing time constraints and lobbying unfamiliarity by promoting advocacy training programs offered by nursing associations or local institutions (Munro & Hope, 2020). These programs equip nurses with essential skills for effective engagement in policymaking.
Subsequently, fostering mentorship is invaluable as it provides guidance, support, and a platform for sharing effective advocacy strategies, empowering the next generation of nurse advocates. Local workshops and town hall meetings provide hands-on learning opportunities, teaching nurses how to navigate policymaking effectively. Lastly, collaborating with nursing schools to integrate policy and advocacy education into curricula prepares future nurses to participate in policymaking effectively (Porat-Dahlerbruch et al., 2023). By combining these strategies with your initial recommendations, nurses can overcome financial and time constraints, becoming more influential advocates for positive healthcare policy changes.
References
Munro, C. L., & Hope, A. A. (2020). Empowering Nurses in 2020, the Year of the Nurse. American Journal of Critical Care, 29(3), 165-167. https://doi.org/10.4037/ajcc2020234
Porat-Dahlerbruch, J., Poghosyan, L., & Ellen, M. (2023). Nurse practitioner integration: insights into the next generation of policy and research. International Journal of Health Policy and Management. https://doi.org/10.34172/ijhpm.2023.7411
ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE
We’ll write everything from scratch
Question 
Respond to at least two of your colleagues’* posts by suggesting additional opportunities or recommendations for overcoming the challenges described by your colleagues.
Peer Response – The Role of the RNAPRN in Policymaking
Post 1
Joining Nursing Associations and Organizations
RNs and APRNs can actively participate in policymaking by becoming members of nursing associations and organizations such as the American Nurses Association (ANA) or specialty nursing associations like the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). Professional organizations and associations are critical for helping to create energy, flow of ideas, and proactive work that is used to maintain a healthy profession, advocating for the needs of its clients and nurses and the public’s trust (Matthews, 2012). These associations often have committees and task forces focusing on policy and advocacy. Once a member is added, people can contact them to get further involved. Challenges present to those who become members of these organizations (Morris, 2023). One challenge is that joining these organizations may require membership fees and time commitment, which can be a barrier for some nurses. Additionally, some nurses may lack awareness of these opportunities or be unsure how to get involved effectively. When deciding to join nursing associations and organizations, one should look at the pros and cons to determine if it is worth it to accomplish what they set out to do; there is always a way to overcome challenges when presented. (Morris, 2023) To overcome the financial barrier, nurses can seek out scholarships or grants that support membership in these organizations. Also, to address the lack of awareness or uncertainty, nurses can connect with peers who are already involved and seek mentorship. Additionally, these organizations’ online forums, webinars, and educational resources can help nurses better understand how they can participate in policymaking.
Engaging in Grassroots Advocacy and Lobbying
RNs and APRNs also have the opportunity to actively participate in policymaking by engaging in grassroots advocacy efforts, including contacting local, state, and federal representatives to voice their concerns and opinions on healthcare and nursing-related issues. They can also participate in lobbying efforts through organizations like Nurse Advocacy Centers. Advocacy and lobbying can challenge nursing because it can be intimidating for some nurses who may need to gain experience in these areas. They may also face challenges in reaching and influencing policymakers effectively (Morris, 2023). To address the need for more experience, nurses can participate in advocacy training programs or workshops provided by nursing associations and advocacy groups. They can also collaborate with experienced advocates or organizations to guide them. To reach and influence policymakers effectively, nurses can organize local events or town hall meetings to engage with their representatives and share personal stories and data demonstrating policy decisions’ impact on patient care.
Recommendations for better advocacy and communication of these opportunities
To better advocate and communicate about joining organizations and engaging in grassroots, nurses should utilize social media and online platforms to create and maintain a robust online presence through social media and professional networking platforms. Share information about policy-related events, advocacy opportunities, and successes in nursing advocacy. Engaging in online discussions can raise awareness and attract the attention of fellow nurses. They could also collaborate with educational institutions by partnering with nursing schools and educational institutions to incorporate policy and advocacy education into nursing curricula (Milstead & Short, 2019). By teaching nursing students about the importance of policy involvement and providing resources for getting started, you can ensure that a new generation of nurses is prepared and motivated to participate in policymaking.
By taking advantage of these opportunities, addressing the associated challenges, and actively promoting them through effective communication strategies, RNs and APRNs can play a more significant role in shaping healthcare policies and ultimately improving patient care.
Post 2
Joining nursing organizations and associations is a great way for RNs and APRNs to participate in policymaking. Professional organizations promote safety, health, and wellness for nurses in the workplace. They work for policy changes, advocating on important health issues that affect nurses and the public (Klinshaw, 2021). The main challenge of joining a nursing organization and association is the cost. Nursing associations at the state and national levels can have substantial annual fees, but if the fee is affordable, it is encouraged to join the association (Nurse.org, n.d.). There are many different nursing organizations that vary in cost. One should look at the different options and choose the one that works best for them. Many nursing organizations offer discounted rates for different reasons; nurses should do research on their organization of choice to see if they qualify for a discounted rate.
RNs and APRNs may choose to actively participate in policymaking by getting involved on the local level. RNs and APRNs can affect their local communities by contacting local, state, and federal representatives. Nurses may feel the need to participate in lobbying. Nurses can participate in lobbying through nursing organizations, such as the American Nurses Association (ANA). The most common reason for nurses to lobby is because they see something that needs to be changed (Mason et al., 2015). The main challenge nurses find with lobbying for change is time constraints and not knowing how to lobby (Bazinski & Wilson, 2023) effectively. To effectively lobby, one needs to do research, identify supporters, contact policymakers, make telephone calls or write letters, send emails, and provide testimony at government hearings Mason et al., 2015). Nursing associations will provide information on how to effectively lobby and offer useful information. If lobbying is the advocacy path of choice, joining a nursing association that offers support for lobbying is a great option.
One strategy for communicating the existence of opportunities to participate in policymaking is utilizing social media and talking with peers. Talking publicly about events and information learned through nursing associations can encourage others to join and get involved in policymaking. Starting conversations about concerns and avenues to combat these concerns with policymaking may encourage someone else to get involved in social change. Nurses sharing stories and data can help give insight to policymakers and allow them to make the most effective positive change (Milstead & Short, 2019). Another option for communicating the ability to participate in policymaking is working with local nursing schools. One can discuss the options for nursing associations or encourage the educators to discuss this with the students.