Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation Essay Example

Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation Essay Example

Nurses are very familiar with the evaluation process, as it is the last stage of the nursing process. However, the process of evaluating policy implementation is different from evaluating nursing interventions. During and after policy implementation, policies must be evaluated to determine their effectiveness and observe any unintended consequences (Milstead & Short, 2019). Evaluation can occur either formally or informally, but a formal review is the gold standard, as informal reviews may lead to skewed and inaccurate findings (Milstead & Short, 2019). Evaluation can also occur on an ongoing basis or as a final analysis, but doing both allows a better view of the whole picture (Yoder-Wise, 2019). Data can be collected during review or evaluation in various ways, such as interviews, focus groups, questionnaires, and literature reviews (Moule et al., 2017) Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation Essay Example. 

Post an explanation of at least two opportunities that currently exist for RNs and APRNs to actively participate in policy review.

One way that nurses can be involved in policy review is to join a committee within their organization. The hospital that I work at has numerous committees that implement small changes regularly. One of the changes recently implemented by a unit council (a council specific to each unit) was that nursing assistants would not be assigned patients. Before, nursing assistants were not assigned to patients. Instead, they just helped out where it was needed. Nursing assistants have tasks they need to take ownership of, but sometimes these tasks were not done, and patients’ needs were going unmet. An example of this is that foley catheter care was to be done twice daily by nursing assistants, but audits showed that it was not being done. Subsequently, patients were at increased risk for developing catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). The unit council voted to start assigning nursing assistants to specific patients. Our evaluation shows that foley care is being done more effectively now, and patients receive higher quality care Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation Essay Example.

Another way to participate in policy review is to join a professional nursing organization (Williams, Phillips, & Koyoma, 2018). Professional nursing associations advocate for causes on many different topics such as reducing gun violence, improving nurses’ health, safe staffing, and much more (American Nurses Association, n.d.). 

Explain some of the challenges that these opportunities may present and describe how you might overcome these challenges.

Many challenges may be faced through policy review or evaluation. One possibility is that during evaluation, nurses or other staff may feel that their work (or the quality of their work) is being evaluated as opposed to the policy itself (Moule et al., 2017). One way to overcome this is to engage a partnership with staff, ensure them of the policy’s purpose, and, therefore, the evaluation’s purpose (Moule et al., 2017) Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation Essay Example.

Other challenges include ethical dilemmas (Milstead & Short, 2019). Many professional organizations have created ethical guidelines for evaluation processes. Key considerations include beneficence, safety, autonomy, and justice, according to the ANA code of ethics (Milstead & Short, 2019). If patient data is involved, privacy should always be maintained per The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) (Milstead & Short, 2019). Most challenges can be avoided through thoughtful planning and implementation (Milstead & Short, 2019).

Recommend two strategies you might make to better advocate for or communicate the existence of these opportunities. Be specific and provide examples.

One of the great things about working at a magnet hospital is that the hospital encourages shared governance, a practice that empowers nurses to improve work experiences and patient outcomes (Joseph & Bogue, 2016). One way the hospital promotes shared governance is through committees. The hospital and committee members encourage other members of the hospital, especially nurses, to join these committees. One way my nurse manager advocates for these opportunities is through quarterly emails. She sends out emails asking if any staff members would like to join any hospital committees to make a difference Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation Essay Example.

Ways to advocate for joining a professional nurse organization include communicating the benefits of joining an association. These benefits include continuing education, networking opportunities, and improvement of the profession.

References

American Nurses Association. (n.d.). Advocacy. Re