Nurse practitioners (NPs) should use their competencies, ideas, and concepts to influence policies that have the potential to impact access to medical services and patient care. Those who want to be part of this process should exhibit maximum commitment and acquire evidence-based knowledge for implementing meaningful change. This paper explains why NPs should join different policy fellowship or educational programs to transform nursing practice.
Health Policy Program
The health policy fellowship program I would theoretically apply to is the Distinguished Nurse Scholar-in-Resident Program. Its purpose is to empower, assist, and guide nurse leaders (NLs) to undertake prominent roles in the development of effective health policies at the national level. It usually targets professionals who possess adequate skills and are capable of presenting critical nursing issues to policy attention and public understanding (“Distinguished Nurse,” n.d.). Such initiatives can offer evidence-based ideas to improve practices in the health care sector.
The supporting organizations include the American Nurses Foundation (ANF), the American Nurses Association (ANA), and the American Academy of Nursing (AAN). The agency responsible for conducting and monitoring this program is the National Academy of Medicine (“Minority Fellowship Program,” n.d.). These organizations select one nurse scholar from an eligible health institution to work or practice at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM).
Reasons for Selecting the Program
Several reasons explain why I have decided to select this program. The first one is that it equips members with evidence-based ideas and concepts that can make them competent stakeholders throughout every health policy formulation process. Secondly, those planning to become NLs will be in a position to complete numerous policymaking roles at the national level.
The third reason is that this program can empower individuals to engage in lifelong learning and identify emerging issues that practitioners should address using evidence-based strategies (“Distinguished Nurse,” n.d.). Finally, the program can empower me to address various challenges that many patients and professionals continue to face. This means that there is a need for NPs to apply for different policy fellowship programs in order to be involved in various processes that can transform populations’ health outcomes.
Issue of Special Interest
If I were to apply to one of the fellowship programs, it would be appropriate to focus on different problems affecting the field of nursing. The selected policy agenda would be that of workforce shortage. This is a major challenge that makes it impossible for many patients in this country to receive high-quality medical services or support. The number of citizens suffering from chronic and age-related illnesses has increased within the past two decades. Additionally, many professional NPs, caregivers, and clinicians retire every year (Abhicharttibutra, Kunaviktikul, Turale, Wichaikhum, & Srisuphan, 2017).
These developments have resulted in a major workforce shortage that affects the health outcomes of many patients. It also complicates the experiences and of medical practitioners in different regions. A new policy focusing on this issue will compel the government to hire more nurses and empower them to provide exemplary medical services. This achievement will transform the country’s healthcare sector and empower every underserved group.
Conclusion
The above discussion has indicated that NPs should join different fellowship programs in an attempt to promote policymaking processes. Such a move can guide them to address existing predicaments and issues in the healthcare sector. Consequently, this initiative will ensure that more people have access to high-quality medical services and achieve their potential in life.
References
Abhicharttibutra, K., Kunaviktikul, W., Turale, S., Wichaikhum, O. A., & Srisuphan, W. (2017). Analysis of a government policy to address nursing shortage and nursing education quality. International Nursing Review, 64(1), 22-32. Web.
Distinguished Nurse Scholar-in-Residence program. (n.d.). Web.
Minority Fellowship Program. (n.d.). Web.