Strengthening Nurses' Influence in Health Policy

Area of Science:

• Health Policy
• Nursing Leadership
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Nurses are crucial in healthcare delivery, yet their policy engagement needs enhancement.
• Global and national reports emphasize the urgent need for nurses to lead policy change.
• Existing frameworks may not adequately support nurses' self-assessment of policy actions.

Purpose of the Study:

• Introduce the Patton Zalon Ludwick Policy Assessment Framework.
• Provide a guide for nurses to self-assess their health policy actions.
• Empower nurses to become effective policy leaders.

Main Methods:

• Developed a framework with three dimensions: engagement, partnership, and reach.
• Defined three levels within each dimension: literacy, advocacy, influence (engagement); unit, interdisciplinary, coalitions (partnership); local, regional, global (reach).
• Described each dimension and level with examples of policy goals and actions.

Main Results:

• The framework offers a structured approach for nurses' self-reflection on policy involvement.
• Dimensions and levels are interconnected, guiding progressive policy action.
• Examples illustrate diverse policy goals and actions across different levels.

Conclusions:

• The framework enables nurses to evaluate and enhance their policy engagement.
• It facilitates a transition from passive observation to active, credible policy leadership.
• Nurses globally can utilize this tool to achieve their policy objectives and advance health care.