Healthcare managers and policymakers need to understand the intricacies of the healthcare delivery system to be able to draft policies aimed at providing patients-centered healthcare services. Moreover, the knowledge of how the system works allows policymakers to reduce costs choosing the best provider for equipment and medication in terms of quality and price. Nies & McEwen state that “nurses who understand the system of health policy development and implementation can effectively interpret and influence policies that affect nursing practice and health of individuals, families, groups, and communities” (p. 163).
Advanced practice nurses are directly involved in the process of legislation by adopting practices conducive to patients’ recovery. Indeed, as APNs undergo special training, they have an ability to make important medical decisions. Later on, these decisions, if found beneficial for the patients, may be transferred into legislative practices adopted by the department or a hospital at large. Moreover, nurses serve as advocates for their patients’ needs before the community and policymakers directly involved in drafting healthcare legislation (Nies & McEwen, 2019). In some cases, nurses act as consultants to governmental committees engaged in policymaking.
Another area of APNs possible work is mentoring novice nurses on the best ways to provide patients-centered healthcare. Their relatively independent clinical work allows APNs to find approaches that may go unnoticed by the general stuff, thus contributing to knowledge-sharing practices in healthcare. Moreover, APNs see to it that nurses in medical profession are not abused either by patients or doctors and help nursing professional to maintain dignity in all the situations.
Reference
Nies, M. A., & McEwen, M. (2019). Community/public health nursing-E-book: promoting the health of populations. Elsevier Health Sciences.