Policy

Davey Do · Apr 18, 2019

40 minutes ago, Lukewarm said:
what are some opportunities for me to participate in policy review?

From my experiences as an administrator, I've found that changing policy can be a sticky wicket, especially if the author of the P&P is in reign.

A successful blocking of P&P change came to me as a home health nursing supervisor, but the director was open to considering the futility of the change.

An unsuccessful blocking of a P&P change came to me as a mental health clinic nursing supervisor. The new medical director, a psychiatrist, wanted to change the P&P of a program that I implemented and supervised.

I guess he won, because in the end I got fired. Not just for the blocking of the P&P, but that was one nail in my coffin.

Generally speaking, as a staff RN, if I wanted to change a P&P, I'd do my homework, gather facts & data and make a presentation following the chain of command.

Good luck, Lukewarm!

ruby_jane, BSN, RN · Apr 18, 2019

Well... we've just had a nurse be charged with homicide (see the threads). And we've had a nurse die on her first shift (see the threads). For better or worse, both nurses will influence policy this year. Is this a for a research paper?

Lukewarm · Apr 18, 2019

Ruby - I just read on the forum about the NP left her infant in the car for 8 hours. Very sad :(. No, I am curious. One of my co-worker is taking a class in health policy. We discussed on how the nursing profession can influence health policy to transform the healthcare system and improve patient care.

Lukewarm · Apr 18, 2019

Davy - thank you for your input. Basically, the nursing profession do not have much saying into the policy-review process.

Lukewarm · Apr 18, 2019

For example, recently the Washington State Legislature want to limit the number of hours you can work in a day. Max is 8 in 24hrs. So no more doubles or 12 hr shifts! ?? I like my 12 hr shifts and getting pay extra for double time. How can I as a nurse prevent this bill from passing?

ruby_jane, BSN, RN · Apr 18, 2019

1 hour ago, Lukewarm said:
Ruby - I just read on the forum about the NP left her infant in the car for 8 hours. Very sad :(. No, I am curious. One of my co-worker is taking a class in health policy. We discussed on how the nursing profession can influence health policy to transform the healthcare system and improve patient care.

I think that's something that management tells us to avoid us quitting en masse. Sorry, my cynical side is showing.

I will say that one time I think I influenced policy. In the bad old days before we had EpiPens free from Mylan for emergencies, I lobbied the health services director to get us some. 60 clinics worth is a lot of Epi. And when the answer was "we can't afford it," I said "But can we afford a dead student?" We had the EpiPens the next year.

LaurieCRNP2002, MSN, RN, APRN · May 24, 2020

Lukewarm

I know it's been quite some time since anyone replied to this thread but if you want another idea for learning policy, consider joining a local chapter of a nurse's association in your area (either ANA or a specialty group). Also, probably the state chapter for ANA might offer opportunities to be involved with a committee that looks at legislation that may affect nurses. I am an NP and have been a member of my state NP group's policy committee. As NRSKaren mentioned in a prior post, there are also various fellowships for health policy. I think the consideration period for a lot of them may be ending soon but they would start a new year in the fall. If you want more specific information, please feel free to PM me and I will share what information I have found.

Good luck!! ?

Laurie