Role of RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation 

Discussion # 2

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Role of RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation 

Nurses can and should be involved in every process of health policy making, including policy review, because such policies affect them. There are various opportunities that are currently available for RNs and APRNs to actively participate in policy-review. One of such opportunities is through leadership. RNs and APRNs have leadership roles, such as chief nursing officer, healthcare administrator, director of nursing, and clinical nurse manager, all of which demand active participation in policy-review (Chism 2021). The other opportunity is through advocacy. The advocacy principles provide that any individual who feels affected by a particular policy is free to express his/her opinion/view. RNs and APRNs are best placed to express their opinions and views on any policy at state and federal levels.

There are various challenges that are bound to face the leadership and advocacy opportunities for RNs and APRNs. The challenges associated with leadership roles for RNs and APRNs include communication and varying leadership skills and styles. In organizations where there is the communication challenge, RNs and APRNs may not have the right communication channels to air their views and opinions regarding a particular policy. Advocacy opportunity is associated with the challenge of gender inequality and competition for resources. Anders (2021) asserts that male RNs and APRNs may be denied the opportunity to express their concerns on a policy, especially if the policy concerns women.

The strategies that can be used to communicate or advocate better the existence of policy-review opportunities for RNs and APRNs include effective training and promotion of good leadership. Nurses should be trained on their roles and contributions on health policy. Good leadership in healthcare and nursing will create room for nurses to air their ideas and opinions when it comes to policy-review.