Walden Opportunities for RNs and APRNs to Participate in Policy Review Discussion

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here are many opportunities for RNs and APRNs to participate in policy review actively. One such opportunity is to become involved with Shared Governance at their place of employment. Shared governance is a nursing practice model designed to integrate core values and beliefs that professional practice embraces as a means of achieving quality care (Anthony, 2004). Participating in Shared Governance allows nurses to be an integral part of policymaking, implementation, and review. Interprofessional involvement enhances a healthcare organization’s shared governance structure. This type of collaboration brings all healthcare providers to the table to make positive and meaningful changes to policies, procedures, and projects (McKnight & Moore, 2020). Being involved at the policy level allows nurses to impact nursing and quality of care for a more satisfying work experience and better patient outcomes.

RNs and APRNs can also actively participate in policy reviews by belonging to nursing organizations like American Nurses Association (ANA). Belong to a nursing organization has many benefits, including up-to-date legislative happenings. Writing to legislators about current legislation informs them of real-world practice and how it affects nurses and patient care. Communicating with legislators can directly impact policymaking, revision, and future practice.

Unfamiliar territory can be uncomfortable. Nurses must continue to advocate for patients and all nurses, whether on a Shared Governance Board or being vocal as a member of a nursing organization. A Shared Governance Board may be asked for results to support the continuation of a policy. This is not always available. Setting realistic timeline goals can help avoid such preliminary requests. When implementing policies or programs designed to improve the health of populations and communities, professional nurses must adopt strategies to minimize the evaluation challenges (Milstead & Short, 2019, p.123).

Strategies to better advocate for and communicate these opportunities can be straightforward. Providing nursing staff with highlights of Shared Governance activities can get nurses more involved and invest. A newsletter or minutes can be posted in breakrooms and sent by email to keep them abreast of important policy happenings. On a grander scale, an Op-Ed can be written to be put on an organization’s website for members to read. These are ways to reach many nurses, keep them informed, and possibly encourage some to become more involved in the process.

References

Anthony, M. K., (2004). “Shared Governance Models: The Theory, Practice, and Evidence”. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing. Vol. 9 No. 1, Manuscript 4. Retrieved April 27, 2021, from https://ojin.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Volume92004/No1Jan04/SharedGovernanceModels.aspx

McKnight, H. & Moore, S. M. (2020, September 22). Nursing shared governance – statpearls – ncbi bookshelf. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved April 27, 2021, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549862/

Milstead, J. A. & Short, N. M., (2019). Agenda setting: What Rises to a Policymaker’s Attention? Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide. (6th ed.). Jones and Bartlett Learning.