NUR 860 The Nurse Executive Module 7: Discussion 1
The Nurse Executive Module 7: Discussion 1
Nursing’s voice has a critical place in shaping public policy beyond traditional professional boundaries. As a future DNP prepared nurse executive, you will influence decisions that affect healthcare delivery, financing, and access. Nurses hold an informed understanding of community health trends and the challenges that patients face daily, giving them credibility in public health discussions. Their ability to interpret research and translate evidence into practice makes them effective advocates for population-based health interventions. Participation in legislative hearings, community boards, and advisory committees allows nurses to speak on issues like mental health access, chronic disease prevention, and safe staffing policies. Nursing advocacy helps lawmakers connect clinical evidence with social and economic realities, ensuring that health policies are practical and equitable (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2021). Expanding nursing’s policy role strengthens the connection between frontline experiences and national health priorities, leading to decisions that genuinely improve outcomes for individuals and communities.
Climate change and its effect on public health provide an example of where nursing’s perspective can guide policy direction. Nurses witness the health effects of poor air quality, heat exposure, and pollution-related illnesses in vulnerable populations such as children and older adults. Their engagement in policymaking can help promote regulations that reduce carbon emissions, strengthen disaster preparedness, and fund community resilience programs (Harris et al., 2022). Nurse executives can support environmental health education, advocate for green healthcare facilities, and collaborate with public health agencies to reduce health risks linked to environmental hazards. The nursing perspective emphasizes prevention, sustainability, and health equity, helping policymakers understand that protecting the environment is also protecting public health. This involvement positions nurses as key contributors in national and global efforts to address climate-related health challenges and safeguard population well-being for future generations.
References
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2021). The essentials: Core competencies for professional nursing education. https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/AcademicNursing/pdf/Essentials-2021.pdf
Harris, O. O., Bialous, S. A., Muench, U., Chapman, S., & Dawson-Rose, C. (2022). Climate change, public health, health policy, and nurses’ training. American journal of public health, 112(S3), S321-S327. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.306826
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Module 7: Discussion 1
In your role as a future DNP-prepared nurse executive, how do you see nursing’s voice contributing to health policy discussions that extend beyond the profession’s traditional internal focus?
Share one example of a current health issue where nursing’s perspective could influence policy direction.