WGU D025 ADVOCATING FOR POLICY CHANGE TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY HEALTH |
LATEST UPDATE WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
ADVOCATING FOR POLICY CHANGE TO
IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES IN THE COMMUNITY
Ashley A. Dean
College of Health Professions, Western Governors University
D025: Essentials of Advanced Nursing Roles and Interpersonal Practice
Kristen McVerry
April 20, 2024
, What does it mean to be an advocate? Merriam-Webster defines an advocate as “one
who defends or maintains a cause or proposal” or “one who supports or promotes the interests
of a cause or group” (Definition of ADVOCATE, n.d.). One of the first tenets of nursing is the
understanding that we are charged with advocating for our patients. We are the voices for both
the patient and family when they cannot speak for themselves, and for achieving desired patient
outcomes. The concept of the nursing profession as being an advocate for improved patient
care dates back to Florence Nightingale. “Nightingale was a singular force in advocating for as
opposed to with individuals, groups, and the nursing profession.” (The voice of Florence
Nightingale on advocacy, 2012, January 1).
The Advanced Professional Nurse as an Advocate
The advanced professional nurse uses different skills and knowledge to advocate for an
at-risk population in the community versus an individual patient in a clinical practice setting. Our
comprehensive clinical experience provides us with unique knowledge to promote and influence
effective and meaningful policy change. The most significant difference in how the advanced
professional nurse advocates or champions an at-risk community population is the elevated
level of care required. They must first identify and comprehend the issue facing the at-risk
population, and research current policy to reveal any deficiencies before creating and presenting
policy changes for consideration. In a clinical setting, the advanced professional nurse would be
focused on advocating for an individual patient in relation to their acute illness or diagnosis to
ensure they are receiving “appropriate, efficient, and effective quality care.” (Patient advocacy in
the community and legislative arena, n.d.) Highlighting the difference between secondary or
tertiary care and preventative care.
Another differentiation would be who the advanced professional nurse is collaborating
with to affect the policy change. In the at-risk community, they would work in partnership with
government leaders to enhance or change public policy through legislation. In the clinical
setting, the advanced professional nurse advocates through a patient’s individual
interdisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and therapies to ensure the best outcome
(Bodurant & Armstrong, 2016).
The overall difference is that on the clinical level, the advanced professional nurse
directly impacts an individual patient, whereas advocating on a community level has an indirect
impact, aiming to improve the population's health outcomes.
LATEST UPDATE WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
ADVOCATING FOR POLICY CHANGE TO
IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES IN THE COMMUNITY
Ashley A. Dean
College of Health Professions, Western Governors University
D025: Essentials of Advanced Nursing Roles and Interpersonal Practice
Kristen McVerry
April 20, 2024
, What does it mean to be an advocate? Merriam-Webster defines an advocate as “one
who defends or maintains a cause or proposal” or “one who supports or promotes the interests
of a cause or group” (Definition of ADVOCATE, n.d.). One of the first tenets of nursing is the
understanding that we are charged with advocating for our patients. We are the voices for both
the patient and family when they cannot speak for themselves, and for achieving desired patient
outcomes. The concept of the nursing profession as being an advocate for improved patient
care dates back to Florence Nightingale. “Nightingale was a singular force in advocating for as
opposed to with individuals, groups, and the nursing profession.” (The voice of Florence
Nightingale on advocacy, 2012, January 1).
The Advanced Professional Nurse as an Advocate
The advanced professional nurse uses different skills and knowledge to advocate for an
at-risk population in the community versus an individual patient in a clinical practice setting. Our
comprehensive clinical experience provides us with unique knowledge to promote and influence
effective and meaningful policy change. The most significant difference in how the advanced
professional nurse advocates or champions an at-risk community population is the elevated
level of care required. They must first identify and comprehend the issue facing the at-risk
population, and research current policy to reveal any deficiencies before creating and presenting
policy changes for consideration. In a clinical setting, the advanced professional nurse would be
focused on advocating for an individual patient in relation to their acute illness or diagnosis to
ensure they are receiving “appropriate, efficient, and effective quality care.” (Patient advocacy in
the community and legislative arena, n.d.) Highlighting the difference between secondary or
tertiary care and preventative care.
Another differentiation would be who the advanced professional nurse is collaborating
with to affect the policy change. In the at-risk community, they would work in partnership with
government leaders to enhance or change public policy through legislation. In the clinical
setting, the advanced professional nurse advocates through a patient’s individual
interdisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and therapies to ensure the best outcome
(Bodurant & Armstrong, 2016).
The overall difference is that on the clinical level, the advanced professional nurse
directly impacts an individual patient, whereas advocating on a community level has an indirect
impact, aiming to improve the population's health outcomes.
