Nursing Policies: Hospital Development And Implementation

Nursing policies are developed in hospitals to promote high-quality, safe, and effective nursing practices. Nurses are key stakeholders in the development and implementation of healthcare policies due to their frontline role and unique perspective on the healthcare system. Factors influencing their participation in policy-making include their experience, knowledge of health systems and policy research, leadership skills, workload, and management support. Nurses can influence healthcare policies by joining organizations, committees, or councils, and advocating for patients and evidence-based practices. They can also shape health policies by engaging with policymakers and elected officials, tracking legislation, and contributing to political action committees.

Nurses' participation in policy-making

Nurses are the largest group in the global healthcare workforce, and they have a unique and expert perspective on the healthcare system. They are well-placed to see how health policies impact patients, communities, and nursing staff themselves. As such, nurses can and should play an active role in influencing and developing nursing policies in hospitals.

Nurses can participate in policy-making in several ways. Firstly, they can join nursing associations or organisations, such as the American Nurses Association, which work to develop policies that influence external policies at local, state, and federal levels. These organisations often maintain lists of members who are willing to advocate for nursing and patient care by contacting their representatives. Nurses can also serve on boards for nursing associations, helping to develop policy statements that affect patient care and nursing practices. Additionally, nurses can collaborate with lobbyists or even become lobbyists themselves, using their expertise to influence legislators and protect patient care and nursing staff.

Nurses can also take individual actions to influence policy. They can attend legislative sessions and build relationships with politicians and policymakers to understand the policy-making process better. Social media platforms provide another avenue for nurses to gather a following and influence policy decisions that affect healthcare. Furthermore, nurses can ensure that patient information is presented in plain language, following health literacy guidelines, and they can advocate for evidence-based practices in their workplaces.

Despite the importance of nurses' involvement in policy-making, there are several barriers to their participation. These include individual, interpersonal, and systematic barriers, such as limited knowledge of the policy-making process, heavy workloads, negative images of nurses, and fear of encountering others' beliefs. To address these barriers, organisations like the International Council of Nurses (ICN) emphasise improving nurses' readiness for policy development by providing education on health policy-making, different approaches to policy development, and leadership skills.

In summary, nurses have a crucial role to play in shaping nursing policies in hospitals. By actively participating in policy-making processes and advocating for patients and their profession, nurses can influence healthcare for patients now and in the future. However, efforts are needed to overcome barriers and encourage greater involvement of nurses in policy development and implementation.

Nursing-related factors

Firstly, nurses are the largest group within the global healthcare workforce, and their frontline role places them at the heart of patient care. This vantage point grants nurses a unique and expert perspective on the healthcare system, making their input invaluable to policy development. Their insights can shape policies, laws, and regulations that govern healthcare, ensuring they are realistic and effective.

Secondly, nursing-related factors also include the knowledge, skills, and experiences of individual nurses. Gaining experience in policy development, understanding health systems, conducting policy research, and cultivating leadership skills are all essential aspects that enable nurses to actively participate in shaping nursing policies.

Additionally, nursing-related factors extend to the organizational and structural elements of the profession. Creating a positive work environment and providing empowering programs are crucial to encouraging nurse involvement in policy development. This includes addressing issues such as heavy workloads, negative images of nurses, and gender issues, which can hinder nurses' participation in policy-making processes.

Furthermore, nursing-related factors also involve the advocacy role of nurses. Nurses can advocate for patients by ensuring that patient information is accessible and easy to understand. They can also promote evidence-based practices and join committees or councils to drive change. By actively engaging with nursing organizations, government agencies, and policymakers, nurses can influence health policies and ensure their profession's voice is heard.

Overall, nursing-related factors are integral to the development of nursing policies in hospitals. By recognizing the expertise and insights that nurses bring to the table, healthcare organizations can create policies that are informed by those at the forefront of patient care, ultimately improving healthcare outcomes.

Management and organisational factors

Secondly, effective communication and collaboration between nurses and hospital administrators are crucial. Administrators should actively involve nurses in decision-making processes, recognising their unique insights and expertise as frontline workers. This involves creating structured avenues for nurses to provide feedback and contribute to policy discussions.

Additionally, management teams should promote a culture of continuous learning and professional development. This includes offering educational opportunities for nurses to enhance their knowledge of health policy, research methods, and leadership skills. By investing in the professional growth of nurses, hospitals can foster a more engaged and empowered nursing workforce, better equipped to contribute to policy development.

Furthermore, organisational factors such as staffing levels and workload distribution can significantly impact nurses' ability to engage in policy development. Heavy workloads and staffing shortages may hinder nurses' participation in policy-related activities, as they may perceive these endeavours as additional burdens on top of their already demanding clinical responsibilities. Therefore, adequate staffing and workload management strategies are essential to encourage nurse involvement in policy development.

Lastly, the organisational structure and reporting hierarchy within a hospital can influence nursing policy development. A flat organisational structure that encourages open communication and collaboration across departments can facilitate the integration of nursing insights into policy decisions. In contrast, a highly hierarchical structure may impede the flow of information and ideas, hindering the effective contribution of nurses to policy development.

Creating a positive work environment

Nursing policies are developed through the collective efforts of nurses, nursing organizations, and policymakers. Nurses, as the largest group in the global healthcare workforce, play a crucial role in shaping health policies. They have a unique perspective on the impact of policies on patients and communities and can advocate for change within their workplaces and directly with policymakers.

Leadership and Decision-making

Effective nursing leadership is vital to creating a positive work environment. Leaders should demonstrate strong leadership at every level of the healthcare system hierarchy, from bedside practice to establishing intra-professional collaborations. They should acknowledge multiple perspectives, promote nurses' contributions, and communicate successes to build confidence. Involving nurse leaders in staffing processes ensures safe care and enhances healthcare delivery and nurse productivity.

Communication and Teamwork

Open and transparent communication is a cornerstone of a healthy work environment. Nursing leaders should encourage nurses to share their perspectives through feedback sessions, meetings, and an open-door policy. Active listening, empathy, and respectful dialogue are essential for effective teamwork.

Professional Autonomy

Nurse leaders should support and facilitate nurses' professional autonomy. This includes providing opportunities for personal and professional development and empowering nurses to make independent decisions in the best interest of patients.

Conflict Resolution

Conflict in the nursing work environment can negatively impact nurse welfare and patient outcomes. Nursing leaders should proactively address and resolve conflicts by establishing clear policies, promoting positive behavior, and providing training in conflict resolution.

Wellbeing and Job Satisfaction

Protecting nurses' well-being and creating a supportive work environment are crucial. This includes addressing physical, mental, and emotional health to cultivate nurse well-being, which leads to improved job satisfaction and performance. Organizations should listen and respond to nurses' feedback and needs to enhance their job satisfaction and retention.

By implementing these strategies, nursing leaders can create a positive work environment that empowers nurses, improves patient care, and contributes to the success of healthcare organizations.

Nurses' influence on policy

Nurses have a unique and critical influence on policy development in hospitals. As the largest group in the global healthcare workforce, nurses have a direct impact on patient care and health outcomes. Their insights and experiences are invaluable for shaping policies that govern the healthcare system.

Nurses interact closely with patients and their families across diverse settings, making their feedback essential for policy development. They witness first-hand how policies affect patients and communities and can advocate for changes to improve health outcomes. This places them at the forefront of healthcare reform, where they can actively contribute to creating and enforcing policies.

Nurses can influence policy in several ways. They can join committees or councils to drive best practice changes and collaborate with national nursing organisations to amplify their voices. For instance, members of the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) frequently testify before Congress and other healthcare agencies, highlighting cancer policy priorities and impacting decisions.

Additionally, nurses can ensure that patient information is presented in plain language, adhering to health literacy guidelines. They can also promote evidence-based practices in their workplaces, aligning policies and procedures with clinical pathways. By doing so, nurses can shape healthcare policies both directly and indirectly.

However, several factors can hinder nurses' involvement in policy development. These include limited time, heavy workloads, insufficient knowledge of policy-making processes, and negative perceptions of the nursing profession. Mentoring by nursing leaders and providing educational opportunities can empower nurses to participate more actively in policy development, enabling them to influence healthcare policies and drive positive changes in patient care.

Frequently asked questions