DNP Essential V. Healthcare Policy for Advocacy in Healthcare
Analysis of health policy proposals, health policies, and related issues from the perspective of consumers, nursing, other health professions, and other stakeholders in policy and public forums. In addition, advocating for the nursing profession within the policy and healthcare communities. Nursing practice experts will serve on institutional, local, state, federal, and international committees, boards, or task forces. My exposure to health care policy began in my course work NUR 808 (Translating Nursing and Health care research). I learned the importance of having a voice at the legislative table, especially in regard to health care policies, can be for advanced practice nurses. I have attended briefings at Dirksen Senate Office and the AANP’s Health Policy Conference March 2020. I am a current member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners association (AANP), American Nurses Association (ANA), Maryland Nurses Association District 9(MNA), and Nurse Practitioners Association of Maryland (NPAM). My policy issue analysis paper from course 808 will also contribute to meeting the goals of this essential. I do feel leadership skills are vital to this essential well. I have been invited by the deputy director for the Maryland Citizens Health initiative to become a committee member to the health insurance consumer protection work group. I also feel that my position on the leadership team at my current place of employment has also contributed to me meeting these essential.
Examples of documenting this Essential are available below:
Reflections
Healthcare policy and health care advocacy were improved during my DNP journey. . I learned how important having a voice at the legislative table, especially in regards to health care policies, for advanced practice nurses. I also was able to realize how important it is for us to be active to assure our presence as "game players" in the ever changing interdisciplinary healthcare environment. Skills were developing in performing a policy analysis. As well, levels of comfort in relation to speaking publicly and privately with legislators was increased. Upon completion of my DNP degree, I still would consider this essential one of my strongest.
I attended not only one legislative meeting but went for the two consecutive years following. The second year I actually served as a team leader where Iead and instructed other advanced practice nurses and students in skills of conversation. I also feel that with my development as a DNP, my skills have improved in expressing my viewpoints in regards to policy. I had the pleasure of meeting with my representatives individually on capitol hill to discuss the issues pertaining to the healthcare crisis in Maryland and how APRNs can be an effective remedy. Also during this pandemic, I have created policies on drive through triage, revised our visitation policy, created a new policy for the floor nurses to care for DKA patients. Policy written for our COVID-19 unit.
Leadership skills are vital to this essential as well. Leader is defined as "the art and science of influencing a group toward achievement of a goal". I have had the privilege of serving on numerous committees at various stages of involvement as documented here.
Institutional:
Chair for the Advanced Practice Nurses Council at Fort Washington Medical Center
Local:
Member – Maryland Nurse Association District 9
Member – Nurse Practitioner Association of Maryland
State:
Area Representative - Maryland Health Coalition