In: Nursing
How are nurses involved in health policy
Nurses have a greater responsibility in the current and future role of healthcare delivery system. The nursing profession is based on the science of human health and the science of caring and operates from a framework that respect and value the people rights. To achieve this objectives, a) policies that exist define and integrate appropriate standards for delivery of care and address conditions necessary for that care to happen b) nurses can practice the importance of standards and assure quality of care c) it also has an impact on resource allocation to support delivery of healthcare and d) helps to shape the care that will be provided today and in the future.
The unique role in formulating policy helps the nurses to take leadership in improving the quality of healthcare. They promote active participation in formulating policies. However, there are some reasons for the limited use of policies in nursing profession. They includes a) lack of awareness b) inadequate skills c) little opportunity for involvement and d) education about healthcare policy are limited in all organizations.. Many healthcare organizations seems to misunderstand the purpose of policy statements and burden them with non-value-added information. The work nurses do in influencing policy affects decision that impact quality of life and universal access to care. For this to happen, nurses must be skilled in patient care as well as in interdisciplinary teamwork, informatics and technology, implementing evidence-bases practice and quality improvement.