Primarily, nurses have the significant responsibility of addressing the problems in healthcare through health policy development (Burke, 2016). It is, therefore, essential that nurses should increase their level of education for them to participate in formulating health policies. Whenever a nurse is involved in health policy development, there is ultimately safe, high-quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare provided (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation & Institute of Medicine (U.S.), 2011). Hence, for a nurse to be able to participate in policymaking, they should be appropriately educated so that they can be knowledgeable of the health systems and the policy development process.
There are many transformational changes and changing roles for a nurse due to technological advancement and increase in the expectation of patients (Salmond & Echevarria, 2017). Hence, their role as healthcare professionals is evolving implying that there is a need for them to have better education. The progress of healthcare like the use of electronic health devices and various other levels of technology make it crucial for nurses to adapt when handling digital systems and equipment (Shariff, 2014). Notably, the level of education of nurses determines their communication skills and vigilance to ensure the security and safety of patients. Thus, better communication and patient care give nurses the chance to take part in policy making.
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Also, in the nursing profession, regulation is a critical component in ensuring that there is safety and competency in practice (National Commission on Correctional Health Care, 2011). However, for the nursing community to abide by the issues of regulation and standards, registered nurses ought to influence the regulatory process. This is only attainable by them having the required level of knowledge, which is determined by their level of education. Nurses should substantially comply with all policies and procedures enacted in their organizations. To ensure this, registered nurses, with a better understanding of healthcare will be able to advocate for changes that may be required in the healthcare setting for their benefit and that of patients. Subsequently, their education will have influenced their ability to make an impact.
As such, the entry point into professional nursing practice significantly influences any decisions and the competence of a nurse in policy-making. Similarly, it is essential for nurses to control the regulatory process because they have a significant influence on the healthcare system as they understand and are familiar with all disciplines involved in the provision of care.
References
Burke, S. (2016). Influence through policy: Nurses have a unique role. Retrieved from https://www.reflectionsonnursingleadership.org/commentary/more-commentary/Vol42_2_nurses-have-a-unique-role
National Commission on Correctional Health Care. (2011). Regulations, Standards, and Policies. Retrieved from https://www.ncchc.org/cnp-regulations
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, & Institute of Medicine (U.S.). (2011). The future of nursing (1st ed.). Washington, D.C: National Academies Press.
Salmond, S., & Echevarria, M. (2017). Healthcare Transformation and Changing Roles for Nursing. Orthopaedic Nursing , 36 (1), 12-25. doi: 10.1097/nor.0000000000000308
Shariff, N. (2014). Factors that act as facilitators and barriers to nurse leaders’ participation in health policy development. BMC Nursing, 13(1). doi: 10.1186/1472-6955-13-20
