Exploring Nurse Leaders' Policy Participation Within the Context of a Nursing Conceptual Framework

Abstract

This study was designed to describe and quantify the experiences of nurse leaders working to influence policy and to build consensus for priority skills and knowledge useful in policy efforts within the context of a nursing conceptual framework. The conceptual model for nursing and health policy and the Adams influence model were combined into a conceptual framework used to guide this two-round modified Delphi study. Twenty-two nurse leaders who were members of a state action coalition participated in the Round 1 focus group; 15 of these leaders completed the Round 2 electronic survey. Round 1 themes indicated the value of a passion for policy, the importance of clear communication, and an understanding the who and when of policy work. Round 2 data reinforced the importance of clear communication regarding policy engagement; knowing the who and when of policy closely followed, and having a passion for policy work was identified as least important. These themes inform learning objectives for nursing education and preparation for interactions with public officials because influencing policy requires knowledge, skills, and persistence. Study findings begin to describe how nurse leaders influence policy within the context of a nursing conceptual framework and generate implications for research, education, and professional practice.

Leininger’s Theory of Culture Care Diversity and Universality: An Overview With a Historical Retrospective and a View Toward the Future

“…The policy process framework provides a context for improving the focus and design of research and better explicating the connection between research evidence and policy. (p. 208) Waddell, Adams, and Fawcett (2017) explored nursing leaders' policy participation within the context of a nursing conceptual model. The CCT has not been extensively documented in published professional literature as a way to guide or inform health policy initiative development.…”

Predictors of hospital‐based registered nurses' engagement in on‐the‐job policy activities

“…The importance of policy skills, be they analytical, political, or interactional, are perceived as crucial for professionals' engagement in policy change (Bilazarian, 2019; Jansson, 2018; Waddell, Adams, & Fawcett, 2017). Frontline RNs with greater policy skills probably feel more competent to engage in personal policy activities as part of their job, are more likely to seek opportunities to participate in policy‐making processes and will tend to be identified by their managers as candidates to participate in policy arenas (Jansson, et al, 2016).…”

“…This can include holding conferences on policy contributions by nurses, initiating training sessions, staff meetings, and policy discussions. Implicit encouragement and support for frontline nurses’ policy engagement can also take the form of managerial or clinical promotion tracks for nurses who have demonstrated achievements in this respect and the integration of policy participation into professional role descriptions (Waddell et al, 2017).…”

Developing a strategic model of participation in policy development for nurses

“…Opportunities for such learning by nursing students lie in activities outside the classroom such as campus elections. Finally, clear communication was found to be an important attribute regarding policy engagement (Waddell et al ). The nursing profession is the largest group of healthcare professionals and has unique characteristics working with patients.…”