Healthcare policy can impact advanced practice nurses by redefining their work scope, the ratio of patients served, deployment, treatment models, and the overall conduct at work. Notably, some offer linkages between the responsibilities of stakeholders and the available resources (Frankowski, 2019). For example, a healthcare policy may state that the government provides a database for all medical research studies for the advanced practice nurses (APN) to utilize in providing evidence-based care. The implication is that the APN will integrate continuous reading and assessment of available studies to determine the most suitable for managing their patients.
The public health policies dictate the people who get insurance, which influences the direction APNs to take in offering their services. For example, federal laws stipulate that those eligible for Medicaid are from low-income families, those receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), some children, and pregnant women (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2022). In turn, the scope of work for the APNs working in public healthcare centers may have restrictions regarding whom they prioritize for treatment. The healthcare policy can also dictate the approach used in compensating the APNs, thus affecting the attractiveness of the job.
Advocacy as Essential Role for APN
Advocacy is critical for APNs as it reduces health inequalities and improves the quality of life for disadvantaged populations. The APNs can intervene by suggesting the right policies that interrupt the cycle of poor health, poverty, and disadvantages (Williams et al., 2018). Remarkably, the APNs have an ethical obligation to do good to all the clients that seek their services. Thus, one way of showing concern is to suggest policies that enhance the quality of life for the most vulnerable groups.
The APNs are experts with information that lay clients may not have regarding the continuum of care and should therefore help in advocacy for the prevention of diseases. For instance, they can influence policymakers to include screening social determinants of health (SDOH) as mandatory standard practice. The result will be the development of individualized care plans for all patients, enhancing health outcomes. Thus, in advocating for patients, the APNs ensure that the government adopts better health policies.
Four Pillars of Transformational Leadership and Its Effect on Policy Change
The main pillars of transformational leadership decided to enhance relationships while making processes within the organization efficient. The idealized influence implies that leaders must develop a shared vision while building positive relationships with stakeholders (Sayyadi, 2020). It influences policy change by making the followers commit to a new strategy that the manager sees fit for the strategic development of the healthcare organization. Second is the individualized consideration which focuses on identifying the specific needs of stakeholders and empowering them to create an environment of mobilization and support (Sayyadi, 2020). For any policy change to occur, all the people involved must be motivated to believe that it is the best for the organization. Therefore, the pillar effectively makes people have a positive stance toward a policy recommendation.
Intellectual stimulation is another pillar where transformational leaders are expected to propel knowledge sharing to influence innovative solutions and ideas. In turn, the suggestions that people come up with can be the basis for developing new policies. Finally, inspirational motivation focuses on acknowledging humans and inspiring them, showing optimism toward the future, and providing the desired outcomes for the vision (Sayyadi, 2020). It enhances policy change by motivating people to accept changes that can potentially improve the future of healthcare.
References
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2022). Eligibility. The official U.S. government site for Medicare | Medicaid. Web.
Frankowski, A. (2019). Collaborative governance as a policy strategy in healthcare. Journal of Health Organization and Management, 33(7), 791-808. Web.
Sayyadi, M. (2020). The four aspects of transformational leadership. Blog.SHRM.org. Web.
Williams, S. D., Janice M., & Koyama, K. (2018). Nurse advocacy: Adopting a health in all policies approach. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 23(3), 1-12. Web.