Module 8: Integrating & Optimizing the NP Role in LTC Practice
201 8.1.4 Informing NP Policy Development
NPs must continue to advocate and become involved to inform practice and support policy development. In advocating, NPs need to:
- Understand their scope of practice/practice authority
- Be aware of community needs
- Determine how NPs can meet community needs & fill necessary gaps
- Remain educated: clinical skills, leadership skills & health policy
- Be involved in nursing organizations (local to international)
There are a number of nursing organizations for NPs to belong to including provincial/territorial, national & international. All of these organizations will support NP advocacy and membership and involvement is encouraged[1].
NPs play an important and significant role in developing health policies. NPs support policy development including policies involving:
- Health care access
- Health care equality
- Quality of care
- NP scope of practice
- Public health crises
- Health care legislation[2]
NPs not only inform health policies but they support with educating the public and applying policies into practice[3].