NURS 6050 Discussion: The Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation

In the Module 4 Discussion, you considered how professional nurses can become involved in policy-making. A critical component of any policy design is evaluation of the results. How comfortable are you with the thought of becoming involved with such matters?

Some nurses may be hesitant to get involved with policy evaluation. The preference may be to focus on the care and well-being of their patients; some nurses may feel ill-equipped to enter the realm of policy and political activities. However, as you have examined previously, who better to advocate for patients and effective programs and polices than nurses? Already patient advocates in interactions with doctors and leadership, why not with government and regulatory agencies?

In this Discussion, you will reflect on the role of professional nurses in policy evaluation.

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To Prepare for NURS 6050 Discussion: The Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation:

In the Module 4 Discussion, you considered how professional nurses can become involved in policy-making.
Review the Resources and reflect on the role of professional nurses in policy evaluation.

Write an explanation of at least two opportunities that currently exist for RNs and APRNs to actively participate in policy review. Explain some of the challenges that these opportunities may present and describe how you might overcome these challenges. Finally, recommend two strategies you might make to better advocate for or communicate the existence of these opportunities. Be specific and provide examples.

Sample Discussion Paper: The Role of the RN/APRN in Policy-Evaluation

Introduction

The implementation of nursing policies goes a long way towards improving health care services delivery. Nurses and other medical practitioners acquire a pronounced identity of their specific roles, while the general rapport improves. Consequently, health facilities achieve their objectives, which includes concern on the population’s welfare. Evaluation is a crucial exercise that complements the effectiveness of health policy. Most nurses are opposed to the thought of participating in an evaluation process, asserting that they find it utilitarian serving clients within a medical facility entirely (Milstead, 2004). However, such a decree may bear fallacious elements since nurses fit perfectly in the evaluation role. The evaluation process necessitates a profound comprehension of specific operations happening in the medical niche, and nurses stand a perfect chance. Therefore, nurses bear responsibilities in the evaluation process, where prevailing opportunities present them with a smooth integration process.

Opportunities for Policy-Evaluation Involvement

Nurses can join research and evaluation based organizations for active participation in the evaluation process. Having understood and appreciated the significance of policy evaluation in the nursing profession, acquiring helpful resources should be an ultimate consideration. Organizations, such as National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) (Williams & Anderson, 2018), concerned with evaluation provide such resources and tools that promote the efficacy of the process. Clinical translational research institutes have received funding from the United States’ government, including Institutional Development Award Infrastructure for Clinical and Translational Research and Research Centers in Minority Institutions Infrastructure for Clinical and Translational Research (Shiramizu et al., 2017). Such funding programs aims at enhancing access to resources by concerned personnel. Several programs have been successful in the evaluation process as a result of these funding programs. Therefore, these institutes present a perfect opportunity for nurses to get involved in policy evaluation processes through heightened access to resources.

RE-AIM evaluation framework provides a model for conducting a review activity effectively. Nurses stand higher chances of advocating issues during an evaluation, due to essential attributes such as seamless communication skills. However, conducting evaluation activity with inadequate know-how might lead to an erroneous collection of data. For that reason, there is a need for the provision of information on the proper procedure for carrying out an evaluation process. RE-AIM abbreviates the terms; Reaching out to the population at large, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation that involves consistency and Maintenance (Glasgow, Lichtenstein, & Marcus, 2003). This model presents an emphasis for nurses to aim at acquiring information on public health issues, which provides details on the effectiveness of a particular policy. If a nurse adopts this model, or any other existing and relevant model, the success of the evaluation process in more or less guaranteed.

Challenges

While these phenomena present perfect opportunities for nurses to get involved in policy evaluation, they also exhibit some challenges. First of all, nurses lack adequate access to the resources required for the evaluation process (“Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” 2016). Most existing organizations do not have enough resources to provide for the process, while federal funding might not be adequate. This inhibits the process since involved personnel does not access appropriate and enough data for analysis. Besides, while nurses may join particular organizations, some of them have not defined clearly the role of nurses in the evaluation process. Increased funding programs from the government and interested sponsors could be a perfect way to solve this limitation.

On the other hand, nurses face the fear of getting involved in the process. Regardless of procedural models defining the mode of carrying out activities, they lack definite evidence to support their efficacy (“Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” 2016). Nurses also need to take some time to familiarize themselves with the policies and models. Not every nurse is ready to dedicate their time and resources to studying the models. Consequently, they indulge in evaluation with trivial knowledge on the matter. This situation diminishes the chances of acquiring appropriate data as well as the results. Training workshops and learning materials should be provided to nurses in a bid to equip them with apt information. Besides, workshops and seminars will inspire them, unlike leaving procurement to themselves.

Recommendations

I would recommend a direct involvement of senior medical officers in every institution. In such a case where officials are involved, they can efficiently inform nurses of available opportunities while they stand higher chances of convincing them. For instance, when a nurse opposes the participation idea, clinging onto excuses such as increased tasks in their job, a senior officer can assign stated tasks to another capable individual.

Besides, I would advocate for an established connection network through communication across the entire medical realm. This will enhance the passage of essential information, including emerging opportunities. For example, nurses could share their email addresses with a health-related organization to continually receive updates.

Conclusion

The evaluation process serves a significant role in determining the overall progress of a health care policy. Acquired information and findings help in further improving an already blossoming policy, or remedy a failing one. Besides, evaluation helps nurses acquaint themselves with its elements, thereby enhancing the quality of services they provide to patients. Evaluation opportunities have seen oblivious personnel participate in the process, which would have been otherwise if they were unavailable. Therefore, despite the few challenges these opportunities present, they have improved healthcare services delivery processes. .

NURS 6050 Discussion: The Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016). Brief 1: overview of policy evaluation. Step by step—evaluating violence and injury prevention policies.

Glasgow, R. E., Lichtenstein, E., & Marcus, A. C. (2003). Why don’t we see more translation of health promotion research to practice? Rethinking the efficacy-to-effectiveness transition. American journal of public health, 93(8), 1261-1267.

Milstead, J. A. (Ed.). (2004). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide. Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Shiramizu, B., Shambaugh, V., Petrovich, H., Seto, T. B., Ho, T., Mokuau, N., & Hedges, J. R. (2017). Leading by success: Impact of a clinical and translational research infrastructure program to address health inequities. Journal of racial and ethnic health disparities, 4(5), 983-991.

Williams, J. K., & Anderson, C. M. (2018). Omics research ethics considerations. Nursing outlook, 66(4), 386-393.

Assignment: Assessing a Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation

Program/policy evaluation is a valuable tool that can help strengthen the quality of programs/policies and improve outcomes for the populations they serve. Program/policy evaluation answers basic questions about program/policy effectiveness. It involves collecting and analyzing information about program/policy activities, characteristics, and outcomes. This information can be used to ultimately improve program services or policy initiatives.

Nurses can play a very important role assessing program/policy evaluation for the same reasons that they can be so important to program/policy design. Nurses bring expertise and patient advocacy that can add significant insight and impact. In this Assignment, you will practice applying this expertise and insight by selecting an existing healthcare program or policy evaluation and reflecting on the criteria used to measure the effectiveness of the program/policy.

To Prepare:

Review the Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation Analysis Template provided in the Resources.
Select an existing healthcare program or policy evaluation or choose one of interest to you.
Review community, state, or federal policy evaluation and reflect on the criteria used to measure the effectiveness of the program or policy described.

The Assignment: (2–3 pages)

Based on the program or policy evaluation you selected, complete the Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation Analysis Template. Be sure to address the following:

Describe the healthcare program or policy outcomes.
How was the success of the program or policy measured?
How many people were reached by the program or policy selected?
How much of an impact was realized with the program or policy selected?
At what point in program implementation was the program or policy evaluation conducted?
What data was used to conduct the program or policy evaluation?
What specific information on unintended consequences was identified?
What stakeholders were identified in the evaluation of the program or policy? Who would benefit most from the results and reporting of the program or policy evaluation? Be specific and provide examples.
Did the program or policy meet the original intent and objectives? Why or why not?
Would you recommend implementing this program or policy in your place of work? Why or why not?
Identify at least two ways that you, as a nurse advocate, could become involved in evaluating a program or policy after 1 year of implementation.

By Day 7 of Week 10

Submit your completed healthcare program/policy evaluation analysis.

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NURS 6050 Discussion: The Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation – Assessing a Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation: Weight Loss Program Evaluation Sample

Introduction

Over time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has involved different health stakeholders in evaluating health programs since evaluation enhances achieving the desired outcomes. Weight Loss Program is one of the health programs that has been subjected to several evaluations to ensure that individuals lose exercise weight. The program focuses on human behavior, such as eating habits that can help one lose excess body weight. More than 95% of Americans have achieved their weight targets after the weight loss program has been evaluated regularly (Guan et al., 2018). In this context, the objective of this discussion is to assess weight loss program evaluation in the state of Illinois.

Outcomes of the Program Evaluation

Evaluating the weight loss program in Illinois State has improved individuals’ health as many people have lost excess weight. There is overwhelming evidence that different health care, such as Northwestern Memorial Hospital, have recorded few cases of excessive body weight complications. Obesity is one of the diseases associated with excess weight, and it is evident that few Illinois people have been diagnosed with the disease (Hendrie et al., 2020). Before program evaluation was carried out, hospitals in Illinois received many patients suffering from excessive weight complications. Osteoarthritis and Coronary heart attacks are some of the common diseases that affected people of Illinois before the weight loss program was initiated.

Measures of Success

All healthcare organizations in Illinois have recorded low patient outcomes since most individuals are keen on their diet and physical exercise that generally supports health. Health records showing low patient outcomes clearly indicate that the program evaluation was successful. Also, the program was successful because the evaluation was conducted at the initial implementation stage, which is easy to make adjustments. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, most health program evaluations are successful because they are conducted at the initial stages of implementation, allowing stakeholders to make necessary adjustments for the easy achievement of desired goals (Hendrie et al., 2020). With these records, it is evident that approximately 90% of the population of Illinois was reached out and informed about the program evaluation.

Data Deployed

The program evaluation used both qualitative and quantitative data as they enhanced effectiveness. Qualitative data was the patients’ records who had suffered from overweight diseases. In contrast, the quantitative data compared the patient outcomes in different health before the evaluation and after the assessment. It is important to note that deploying both qualitative and quantitative any health-related program evaluation enhances quality outcomes since the evaluation captures all factors likely to affect the program.

Stakeholders Identified

The weight loss evaluation program involved several stakeholders from within Illinois. Healthcare providers, policymakers, patients, and funding agencies were the stakeholders. Patients and funding agencies are the most beneficiaries of this program for the following reasons: the program helped the patients understand the meals to consume to cut weight and different physical exercises that helped them lose excess weight. For example, losing weight is of great significance to patients since it helps them avoid chronic diseases such as obesity. In other words, patients would lead a healthy life because of this program. Funding agencies are also the most beneficiaries of this program since they will make huge profits since all set goals are achieved. For instance, the health care department will likely give other programs the funding agencies to run, thus making huge profits.

Objectives of the Program

All the original intended objectives were achieved because the health of the people of Illinois improved. After people lost excess weight, healthcare organizations in Illinois recorded a low number of patients with overweight-related health complications. After program evaluation, a survey was also conducted to check whether program objectives were achieved. The survey found that less than 2% of the Illinois population was overweight (Thorning et al., 2018). This shows that most of the population is healthy, and thus, the program objectives were achieved. The program achieved all the set objectives because of the effective stakeholders and strategies that were used.

Recommendations

I would highly recommend this program to my workplace because it enhances the achievement of all desired goals. The program would be beneficial to both individuals and organizations because employees will be in a position to achieve their personal goals, and at the same time, the organization will also achieve its goals.

Involvement in the Program

As a nurse advocate, I could be involved in the program after implementation by taking part in the survey to check the effectiveness of the program. Secondly, I could involve myself in the program by forming alternative policies integrated into pre-existing policies to achieve the desired outcomes.

Conclusion

Illinois is one of the states that conducted weight loss program evaluations to improve the health and well-being of its residents. The program involved different stakeholders who ensured that the program achieved all its objectives. Patient outcome was used as a measure of success. The program deployed both qualitative and quantitative data for quality purposes. I would recommend this program as it enhances the achievement of both individual and organizational goals.

References

Guan, W., Thaw, A., N. Grondhuis, S., & Schaechter, A. (2018). Evaluation of a Commercial Telehealth Weight Loss and Management Program. Journal Of Nutrition & Weight Loss, 03(02). https://doi.org/10.35248/2593-9793.18.3.114

Hendrie, G., Baird, D., Brindal, E., Williams, G., Brand-Miller, J., & Muhlhausler, B. (2020). Weight loss and usage of an online commercial weight loss program delivered in an everyday context: A 5-year evaluation of the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet Online (Preprint). Journal Of Medical Internet Research. https://doi.org/10.2196/20981

Thorning, T., Fabre, O., Legrand, R., Astrup, A., & Hjorth, M. (2018). Weight loss and weight loss maintenance efficacy of a novel weight loss program: The retrospective RNPC ® cohort. Obesity Medicine, 10, 16-23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.obmed.2018.05.001

NURS 6050 Discussion: The Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation

NURS 6050 Discussion: The Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation

ORDER NOW FOR A CUSTOMIZED ACADEMIC PAPER

Sample Discussion Paper: The Role of the RN/APRN in Policy-Evaluation

Assignment: Assessing a Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation

NURS 6050 Discussion: The Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation – Assessing a Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation: Weight Loss Program Evaluation Sample

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