Everyone has unique perspectives about how they envision healthcare, including in policy conversations. Yet, it’s crucial for nurses — and the nurse educators who instruct them — to be apprised of what healthcare policy entails. Without this knowledge, nurse educators will be doing a disservice to the nursing students under their charge.
Nurse educators benefit from understanding what healthcare policy is, how it affects the general patient population and how they can contribute to better patient outcomes by incorporating it into their nursing student curriculum.
What Is Healthcare Policy, Exactly?
At its foundation, healthcare policy significantly impacts the structure, financing and application of healthcare services. It is influenced by ethical, social and political issues and has far-reaching consequences on education, population health and nursing services.
In action, healthcare policy affects the state of healthcare in the following ways:
- Allocation of resources
- Establishment of standards and guidelines
- Determination of eligibility for services
Given the scope, nurse educators must understand the implications of healthcare policy decisions on the availability and quality of care — including the consideration of social determinants of health (SDOH). This knowledge enables them to navigate policy issues effectively, communicate with lawmakers and stakeholders and advocate for necessary change. Additionally, nurse educators should prepare to educate their students on the impact of healthcare policy decisions on their future practice.
Nurse Educators’ Role in Championing Healthcare Policy
To succeed in their career, nursing students will look to their nurse educators to better understand how they will eventually play a role in healthcare policy. This upcoming generation of nurses should rely on nurse educators to guide them into the healthcare policy realm. The following represent key areas of opportunity:
- Advocate for change: Nurse educators should be well versed in current policy issues so they can enable their students to identify areas for improvement and advocate for policy changes that benefit their profession and patients. An increasing emphasis on patient outcomes means nurses must be skilled in working toward change — and it falls upon nurse educators to guide them.
- Navigate policy issues: Understanding the intricacies of healthcare policy equips nurse educators to address policy-related challenges, ensuring they can provide informed guidance to their students and colleagues.
- Prepare students: Nurse educators must teach their students the importance of healthcare policy and its impact on nursing practice. Students should be encouraged to stay informed on policy updates and understand the role they play in shaping healthcare policy throughout their careers.
A Golden Opportunity to Contribute to Healthcare Policy
Nurse educators are truly champions in the healthcare industry. They are tasked with leading the next class of nurses to their full potential. With that in mind, they must have their own preparatory education to do so successfully.
The online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – Nursing Education program from Millersville University equips nurse educators to respond to policy issues and teach nurses about healthcare policy. The program’s Advanced Practice Professional Issues and Health Policy course explores the historical, social and political forces that influence nursing practice and the role of advanced nurses in policy development.
Healthcare policy has a major impact on nursing practice, making it essential for nurse educators to understand its applications and outcomes. By staying informed on policy status and updates, nurse educators can effectively navigate policy issues, advocate for change and prepare their students for successful careers in nursing. Millersville University’s program equips nurse educators with the necessary knowledge and skills to teach nurses about healthcare policy and respond to policy issues.
Based on personal preference, students can start progressing in their careers in nursing education on an expedited timeline. Millersville University’s affordable online MSN – Nursing Education program offers an accelerated approach to coursework, allowing students to complete the program in as few as 12 months.
Learn more about Millersville University’s online MSN – Nursing Education program.
