How Should Nurses Assure Policy Change For Advanced Practice Registered Nurses

Sample Solution

  Nurses play an essential role in the healthcare system and are often a driving force behind policy change for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). The Affordable Care Act (ACA) plays a significant role in addressing workforce shortages in rural communities by expanding access to health care services. By increasing access, it allows more APRNs to provide critical primary care services and encourages them to move into underserved areas with fewer medical professionals.

The ACA has enabled expanded roles for APRNs by recognizing their qualifications as primary providers of care. This increased recognition also increases reimbursement for services, allowing nurse practitioners and other APRNs greater autonomy within their clinical practices. Additionally, the law removed barriers that had previously hindered APRN practice rights or limited scope of practice in some states. In order to ensure policy changes are successful, nurses must understand current policies regarding the use of advanced practice nursing roles and advocate for legislation that supports equitable access to healthcare and removes restrictions on their ability to deliver quality patient-centered care in rural communities. For example, state legislatures should pass laws that recognize alternative models of health delivery systems—such as collaborative agreements between physicians and nurse practitioners—to ensure greater access to healthcare services in these areas. Furthermore, nurses can team up with local organizations such as hospitals, health clinics or public health departments to lobby legislators on specific issues related to expanding access through telehealth technology or the use of mid-level providers like physician assistants or nurse practitioners instead of traditional physicians where appropriate. Nurse leaders must also lead initiatives aimed at improving professional development opportunities available for APRNs working in rural settings so they can remain competitively qualified when competing for positions with other providers. Programs like loan repayment programs should be used specifically targeted towards those working APNR roles so they have sufficient funds needed continue providing quality care even if there is an initial financial burden associated with finding employment outside urban centers . In addition, creating educational partnerships between universities from urban centers and those from rural ones can help create pathways toward long term sustainability since students could train near where they hope eventually work once graduating . Finally , removing any unnecessary regulatory barriers blocking telemedicine would further enable both remote diagnosis and treatment options thereby expanding service capacity without having individuals travel long distances . Such solutions would offer numerous advantages such as shorter wait times , improved patient satisfaction levels due enhanced convenience , lower costs overall associated delivering care remotely along reduced risks exposures during transportation . Overall, while the ACA has made strides towards ensuring better protection over a variety of population groups living below poverty lines including those living domestic violence situations , implicit bias remains an issue preventing many from benefiting from such advances . Thus , active collaboration among all stakeholders is imperative —including policy makers , advocates , educators leaders alike —to ensure progress continues taking place even beyond what was initially set forth by this major milestone legislation passed back 2010 .