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Essential VI
Health Care Policy and Advocacy
"Recognizes that the master’s-prepared nurse is able to intervene at the system level through the policy development process and to employ advocacy strategies to influence health and health care"
(American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2011, p. 5)
It is essential that nurse practitioners have strong knowledge and understanding of healthcare laws and policies. This is important for many reasons. It's important because nurse practitioners need to be sure they are abiding by the rules and regulations within their scope of practice. Nurse practitioners need to be sure they're following the statues they are held accountable to. It is also important because we must have a voice in order to create change and improve healthcare. Nurse practitioners need to be able to participate in policy and law discussions within healthcare in order to improve healthcare for patients. For instance, when I first began this program, I knew about little about healthcare laws and policies that affected patients and providers. Since being in this program I've learned so much about healthcare law and policy including the nursing scope and standards of practitce. I have a better understanding of how the system works, how it affects my patients, and how I can help be an advocate for my patients.
This assignment allowed me to look at healthcare systems outside of the United States. I was required to review the policies of the healthcare system of the United Kingdom with the intention to see how it compares to the United States.
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This assignment allowed me the opportunity to write our state legislator to be apart of the discussion on nurse practitioners' ability to practice autonomously. This is important in order for our patients to get access to healthcare in a growing world with a shortage of providers.
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This assignment discusses hospice care in the home setting and how culturally sensitive care is met through governance, leadership, as well as workforce standards.
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Macy (2018), the author of Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company That Addicted America, tells the story of how the opioid crisis swept through America so quickly; addicting many people, destroying many families and lives, and leaving many dead. This paper discusses the book and the opioid epidemic that has affected so many lives.
References
American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2011). The essentials of master's education in nursing. Retrieved
from https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/Publications/MastersEssentials11.pdf
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