Building Nurse Leaders: Integrating Policy into Nursing Education

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Health Policy
• Public Health Workforce Development

Background:

• Nurses are crucial for global health goals but underrepresented in leadership.
• There is a need to develop foundational policy skills among nursing students.
• Existing healthcare systems require nurses to navigate complex sociopolitical landscapes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a policy mentorship program designed for pre-licensure, master's entry into nursing students.
• To equip nursing students with foundational health policy skills and practical experience.
• To provide a model for other institutions to develop similar nursing policy programs.

Main Methods:

• A two-semester extracurricular enrichment program combining classroom learning and mentored policy projects.
• Focus on key health policy issues such as HIV prevention and end-of-life care.
• Incorporation of student feedback to emphasize peer learning and program adjustments.

Main Results:

• The program successfully provided practical experience in health policy development.
• Student feedback informed program enhancements, highlighting the value of peer learning.
• The curriculum is designed to foster critical competencies for navigating healthcare systems.

Conclusions:

• This policy mentorship program equips nursing students with vital skills for leadership and policy influence.
• The program serves as a scalable model for nursing schools to enhance policy education.
• Developing these competencies is essential for nurses to effectively mediate disease and wellness outcomes.