Policy Making
The level of education and the entry point into the nursing profession have a profound effect on the quality of nursing practice and a nurse’s competency in policy-making roles. Nurses who enter the profession with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) are well-prepared in clinical care but may have limited exposure to health policy, systems thinking, or leadership concepts. In contrast, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) prepares nurses not only with clinical competence but also with foundational knowledge in public health, healthcare systems, and professional communication, which are critical for understanding and influencing policy. As a BSN-prepared nurse currently enrolled in a master’s program to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), I am beginning to experience how graduate-level education fosters a deeper understanding of policy development and advocacy. With each level of academic advancement, nurses develop more refined critical thinking and leadership skills that directly impact their ability to engage effectively in the policy-making process and advocate for safe, equitable, and evidence-based care.

Importance of Registered Nurse Involvement in the Regulatory Process
It is essential for registered nurses to be involved in the regulatory process because they bring frontline experience and practical insight to policy decisions that affect patient care, staffing, safety, and access. Nurses are often the first to recognize gaps in care or barriers to treatment, especially in mental health. When RNs are active participants in the development of regulations, it leads to more informed and effective policies. Both patients and healthcare systems benefit when nurse leaders advocate for policies that support patient-centered care, protect the nursing workforce, and ensure that the healthcare environment promotes safety and equity. Without nurse input, critical perspectives may be left out of decision-making processes, resulting in regulations that are disconnected from clinical realities.

Education Level Impact
Education plays a significant role in a nurse’s ability to make an impact on the regulatory process. Advanced education fosters critical thinking, policy literacy, and communication skills that are necessary for engaging with lawmakers, writing policy briefs, and participating in advisory boards. Graduate-level coursework often includes training in leadership, policy analysis, and advocacy, all of which prepare nurses for influential roles in healthcare policy. As I progress through my PMHNP program, I am learning how to critically assess current mental health policy and propose changes based on patient needs and system-level outcomes. According to Mason et al. (2021), nurses with higher levels of education are more likely to participate in political activism and healthcare reform, demonstrating the link between academic preparation and policy influence.

References
Mason, D. J., Dickson, E. L., Perez, G. A., & McLemore, M. (Eds.). (2021). Policy & politics in nursing and healthcare (8th ed.). Elsevier.
Oestberg, F. H., & Petros, R. (2021). Policy and practice: A call for psychiatric-mental health nurses to engage in policymaking. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 27(3), 215–223. https://doi.org/10.1177/1078390320958045