Nurses in Shaping Healthcare Policy

The Role of Nurses in Shaping Healthcare Policy

Please ensure that the Discussion includes more than 400 words in APA style 7 format with scholarly articles no older than 5 years and the plagiarism level must remain below 20%.,

Nurses are on the front lines of healthcare delivery and are uniquely positioned to influence policy changes that can lead to improved patient care and healthcare access. Discuss the role of nurses in shaping healthcare policy., How can advanced practice nurses advocate for policy reforms that benefit patient outcomes and the nursing profession?,(CSLO #2)

• Key areas where nurses can impact healthcare policy (e.g. access to care scope of practice patient safety).,
• Strategies that nurses can use to engage in policy advocacy (e.g.through professional organizations legislative committees or leadership roles).,
• Provide an example of a successful policy initiative led by nurses.

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The Role of Nurses in Shaping Healthcare Policy

(CSLO #2)

Nurses, especially advanced practice nurses (APNs), play a crucial role in shaping healthcare policy due to their close proximity to patient care and deep understanding of healthcare systems. Their unique perspective allows them to identify gaps in care, inefficiencies in delivery, and areas where reform is needed. As the largest group of healthcare professionals, nurses have the collective power to advocate for policies that improve patient outcomes and promote equitable access to care.

One of the key areas where nurses can influence policy is access to care. Nurse practitioners (NPs), for example, are often limited by restrictive scope-of-practice regulations in many U.S. states, which prevents them from practicing to the full extent of their training. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (2023), removing these barriers through Full Practice Authority (FPA) legislation leads to improved healthcare access, especially in underserved and rural areas. Nurses can also influence patient safety policies by advocating for safe staffing ratios, infection control measures, and systems that promote transparency and quality care.