What are the barriers to nurses’ participation in the development of health care policy at the state or national level or in an organization in the United States? Why do you think these are barriers? Support your opinion with a rationale or example.
Solution
Nurses meet several barriers that hinder their participation in healthcare policy development at various levels in the United States. One significant obstacle is the lack of formal education and training in policy advocacy. Many nursing programs do not emphasize health policy, leaving nurses underprepared to engage in legislative processes. This educational gap contributes to a lack of confidence and understanding necessary for effective policy involvement. For instance, a study highlighted that nurses often feel unprepared to take part in policymaking due to inadequate training in political and policy development skills (Turale & Kunaviktikul, 2019). Without sufficient education in health policy, nurses may struggle to engage in advocacy efforts, limiting their ability to influence healthcare legislation and reforms.
Another barrier is the demanding nature of the nursing profession, which often leaves little time for policy engagement. Long working hours and high patient loads can lead to burnout, making it challenging for nurses to give time and energy to policy activities. Additionally, institutional constraints, such as limited support from leadership and a lack of opportunities for involvement in decision-making processes, further restrict nurses’ participation in policy development. These factors collectively contribute to the underrepresentation of nurses in health policy arenas despite their critical insights into patient care and system improvements (Rasheed et al., 2020). Addressing these challenges requires enhanced policy education within nursing curricula, more excellent institutional support, and the creation of leadership pathways for nurses to advocate effectively for health policy changes.
References-
Rasheed, S. P., Younas, A., & Mehdi, F. (2020). Challenges, extent of involvement, and opportunities for nurse leaders in health policy: A systematic review. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 52(5), 536-544.
Turale, S., & Kunaviktikul, W. (2019). Nurses’ involvement in health policy development: Lessons from Asia. Nursing Outlook.