Introduction
This paper delves into the impact of Health care policies on the nursing profession, discusses the role of advocacy in patient care, and defines transformational leadership and its implications in implementing policy change. Healthcare policies serve as a guide for making decisions and putting plans into action. According to Patel (2019), these protocols reduce the potential for miscommunication and human error while making healthcare choices. To guarantee high-quality care, advanced practice nurses (APNs) have the power to shape the health industry norms and procedures through their policy work. APNs with a voice in policymaking have an impact on the future of healthcare. The distribution of resources to facilitate healthcare provision is also influenced by policies. For instance, the ability of advanced practice nurses to provide care in a given setting may be impacted by shifts in reimbursement regulations. The advanced nurse practitioner’s scope of practice and the types of treatment they can provide may be affected by future regulatory changes.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has substantially affected the profession of advanced practice nursing (APN) on a national level. According to Patel (2019), access to medical care has improved since the ACT’s implementation, as has the number of people who could qualify for APN treatment. Consequently, there has been an increase in the demand for various medical services, most notably those rendered by advanced practice registered nurses. The Affordable Treatment Act (ACA) has also changed the way that healthcare is funded, which has had an effect on the way that advanced practice nurses provide care. There is no question that healthcare policy affects the work done by advanced practice nurses. The ability of advanced practice nurses to provide care and the sorts of care that advanced practice nurses can provide are both impacted by healthcare policy. When considering the effect of healthcare policy on the advanced practice nurse profession, it is evident that policy can have a substantial impact.
Role of Advocacy in Healthcare
According to Gaudet (2019), advocacy in healthcare is speaking up for or supporting a cause or individual. In healthcare, advocacy can take many forms, such as speaking up for patients who may not be able to speak for themselves, supporting legislation that would improve the healthcare system, or testifying in front of a government body about a particular issue. Advocacy is an essential role of the advanced practice nurse and can significantly impact patient care. If advanced practice nurses cannot advocate for their patients, it can negatively impact their ability to receive the care they need. Conversely, if advanced practice nurses can advocate for their patients, it can positively impact their ability to receive (Gandet, 2019). Advocacy can also affect the advanced practice nurse profession in terms of reimbursement. If a policy reimburses advanced practice nurses at a lower rate than other providers, it can negatively impact their ability to provide patient care. Conversely, if a policy returns advanced practice nurses at a higher rate than other providers, it can positively impact their ability to provide patient care.
For numerous reasons, it is imperative that APNs advocate for their patients. The health and well-being of the patient are always the nurse’s top priority. As a result, the nurse has a responsibility as a client advocate to keep an eye out for and take action about any incompetent, unethical, or unlawful practice(s) carried out by any healthcare team member (Zwilling, 2018). By acting as an ally to their patients, NPs are able to make effective decisions that are in their best interests. Furthermore, nurses are frequently at the patient’s bedside, both in the good times and the bad, to reassure them and their loved ones and explain to them what is happening. Typically, the NPs alert the doctor to any problems or issues that they or their patients have. When patients are unable to express their own needs, nurses speak up for them.
The Four Pillars of Transformational Leadership
Transformational leadership is a type of leadership that is focused on the transformation of individuals and organizations. Transformational leaders inspire and motivate others to change for the better. They are often visionaries and can see the potential in others. Transformational leaders typically have four main pillars: inspirational motivation, idealized influence, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration (Almadhoun, 2022). According to Almadhoun (2022), transformational leaders with inspirational motivation are those who have the ability to convey a vision that is desirable and appealing, while those with idealized influence are leaders that can be acknowledged and trusted by their people to make effective decisions. On the other hand, transformational leaders who give mental stimulation to their followers push them to embrace novel ideas, opportunities, and perspectives (Litz & Blaik-Hourani, 2020). At the same time, transformational leaders who provide individual consideration are those who are able to cultivate positive relationships with their followers and are concerned about the advancement of their professional careers.
Transformational Leadership and Policy Change
Transformational leadership has been shown to influence health policy change effectively. A study of over 1,500 health policy decision-makers found that those exposed to transformational leadership were likelier to implement policy changes that improved health outcomes (Litz & Blaik-Hourani, 2020). Transformational leaders are those who inspire and motivate others to achieve their goals. They do this by providing a vision for change and then working to empower and support others to make that change happen. In the health policy context, transformational leaders can help create a shared vision for change and then work to engage and support others in making that change happen.
There are several ways in which transformational leaders can influence policy change in healthcare. First, they can create a shared vision for change (Litz & Blaik-Hourani, 2020). These leaders can help to develop a global vision for change by articulating a clear and compelling vision for improved health outcomes. This vision can help to engage and motivate others to support and work towards policy change. Engage and empower others: Transformational leaders can engage and empower others by providing them with the information, resources, and support they need to be successful. This can help support policy change and ensure its successful implementation. Secondly, they can build partnerships with key stakeholders, including government officials, healthcare providers, and community members. These partnerships can help support policy change and ensure it is implemented effectively. Thirdly, transformational leaders can communicate to ensure that others understand the need for policy change and the potential benefits. Lastly, they can evaluate and monitor progress to ensure that the policy change has had the desired impact. This can help identify areas where further change is needed and ensure that policy change has the intended effect.
Conclusion
Healthcare policy can significantly impact the advanced practice nurse profession. Depending on the policy, it can either positively or negatively affect the career. For example, if an approach limits the scope of practice for advanced practice nurses, it can negatively impact their ability to provide patient care. While healthcare policies, such as the Affordable Care Act (ACT), have improved patient access to care, nursing practitioners must take the necessary steps to implement such policies properly. As a result, adopting transformational leadership in healthcare is an essential aspect of implementing these policies. This is because charismatic, transformational leaders have the necessary qualities to influence change, including the commitment to active listening, the ability to inspire change, and openness to new thinking.
References
Almadhoun, M. (2022). Four-pillars approach to effective management and leadership. New Leadership of Civil Society Organisations, 16-27. Web.
Gaudet, E. M., Gould, O. N., & Lloyd, V. (2019). Parenting when children have Lyme disease: Fear, frustration, advocacy. Healthcare, 7(3), 95. Web.
Litz, D., & Blaik-Hourani, R. (2020). Transformational leadership and change in education. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Education. Web.
Patel, K., & Rushefsky, M. (2019). Healthcare policy in the United States. Healthcare Politics and Policy in America, 41-78. Web.
Zwilling, J. G. (2018). Advanced practice nursing within healthcare settings: Organizational roles. Advanced Practice Nursing Roles. Web.