HELP! I have to write policies now??!

elkpark · Apr 25, 2016

Well, in the first place, no policy ever gets written by just one person and becomes "POLICY" without further review. Usually, someone writes a draft which is then reviewed and approved by multiple layers of administration (inc. the legal department) before it becomes official. Are these existing policies which just need updating? Or is she asking you to write new policies "from scratch"?

I would use the same format and style in which the rest of the existing policies are written, and search the literature for the most current best practices on whatever the subjects of the policies are, and put together a draft which I would hand off to her. I'm assuming that it is a compliment and "vote of confidence" for you that she's asking you to do this (as opposed to anyone else who works there), and this could be a professional advancement for you if you want it to be. Is moving into education or administration something that you and she have talked about, or something in which you've expressed interest to anyone else there? Is this possibly a case of her mentoring you, or is she just trying to get someone else to do more of the work?

Best wishes for your journey!

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Apr 25, 2016

Aw, it's not that bad. First, be sure to look up your organization's policy on policies - yes, these exist. This is the document that outlines how policies are supposed to be developed. It usually includes the accepted template, how they are developed, approved & implemented as well as the schedule for regular review. If there's no 'policy on policies', this should probably the first one you create - LOL.

A policy is just a statement of the organization's intentions.... "The XYZ organization adheres to Federal, State & Local laws related to use of skateboards within the lobby. Therefore, use of skateboards will be not permitted within the building." or " The XYZ organization will only accept BLS & emergency training approved/provided by the American Heart Association". Policies should be short and sweet. Be sure to reference any "authority" you're using, even if it's a legal statute. The long and drawn out "how to" documents are actually Procedures. If this is going to be attached to the Policy, you can always just reference a valid source instead, such as Lippincott.

If you're working on this as an extra task, remember to keep track of your time and submit it on your time card.

NOADLS · Apr 25, 2016

What kind of setting do you work in?

Ask a nurse in an identical setting for a copy of their policies and procedures and you know the rest (Ctrl + C, Ctrl + V).

Then add a clause stating the CNA's do the CNA work and licensed nurses do the nursing.

ArisTomas · Apr 25, 2016

Yes I am making them from scratch and when I asked for a policy on writing them, she just sent me a template and stated, they should look like this. I am afraid I don't know all the "verbage" and have allowed no extra time while working with patients at this time (hoping to have that change). Just a little worried. I asked the DoN of our parent office, and they have no specific policies for what I am making. It's just got me a bit uneasy. I will keep looking

sadiemae1123 · Apr 25, 2016

I agree with the above posters regarding using the facilities template and documenting resources.

Make sure you keep track of how much time you spend on this project and save all correspondence for it. If this is something you're doing beyond your usual job duties then it should be noted in your personnel file and performance evaluations.

Also, don't get too upset if you're asked to rewrite parts of a policy several times during the process or have to explain things that seem obvious to a clinician, but less so to an administrator.

At the end of the day, make sure you get credit for all the work you do.

RiskManager · Apr 26, 2016

As a risk manager, I write a ton of policies. I am a big believer in not reinventing the wheel. One of the first things I do when writing a new policy is to Google for the policy. For example, I wrote a policy the other day on giving extracted teeth back to patients upon request, and my Google search was 'policy on giving extracted teeth to patients', and I found many helpful policies, links and articles that I used to write my own policy.

ArisTomas · Apr 26, 2016

These are all amazing suggestions! I thank you all! I may come out of this shining yet! Having never done this I am maybe over thinking things. I feel so much better now but keep those suggestions coming if you have them!

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Apr 26, 2016

I LOVE making policies!!!

Use the template, place what you propose as a policy into the frame work; it will need be tweaked and reviewed-make sure you have the originals as well as correspondence as another poster stated, and make sure the spirit of the policy is in place.

The positive of making polices that I find as a nurse is having the opportunity to put in place end user rules that make SENSE and it benefits everyone, especially if it's an idea that is favored and works! :up:

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Apr 26, 2016

Policies are reviewed by a lot of people before they become "law" including usually the med staff.

Every policy has a "goal". In order to achieve the goal you write the "how to".

Always have a "justification clause" ie: a waiver, a specific consent form, an administrative layer, the right for the patient to advocate for something different, the right to "challenge" the policy in a CERTAIN SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES to be determined and decided by the powers that be. Another way to explain it is--using the pp policy on extracted teeth--IF the circumstances are such that the teeth have to be fractured in order for safe and effective removal, the facility reserves that right--regardless of if the patient wants the teeth or not.

Once you start writing them, it will become a flow. And do google what other facilities use, or under the share drive on the computer see if there's other examples from other facilities within your parent company--or contact some other managers from different facilities within your company and see what they have.

Best wishes!

SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS · Apr 26, 2016

There have to be some guidelines. One is probably that all sources have to be from within five years.

Besides searching for already-created policies (either from colleagues at other facilities or yes from Google), look for information from the professional groups under whose purview the policy would fall because they usually have information available online (for patients/for clinicians) on their recommended best practices.

Best wishes. Yes, writing policies is fun- very satisfying. Benefits your whole organization moving forward (not just your patient load, today).

NotYourMamasRN · Apr 26, 2016

I want your job! LOL, I am specializing in healthcare policy for my MSN. If I could be locked in a room all day with a bunch of policies and a Keurig I would be good to go!