1. Participation in policy making can be achieved at the federal
level and downward to individual institutions. “What
government decides with policy is small compared with all the
ways individual groups choose to enact policies” (Laureatte
Education, 2018). Evidence based practice is a cyclical process
that requires revisions based on actual practice. Nurses and
APRN’s are ideally suited to be key contributors in this process.
We are the front-line vision for how the processes work. We can
influence policy making by advocating our local and state
representatives for governmental policy changes on a broad
level. We also can be an effective voice in our own institution.
“Our system is built on, and encourages, individuals to be
educating their officials” (Laureatte Education, 2018).
This week, I am completing my first week as a travel nurse in
NYC. I came here after the televised pleas for ICU nurses to
come help. This week’s discussion post ties in well with what I
am seeing first-hand in NYC. I am working in a makeshift ICU.
The unit did not exist five days ago. We have “constructed” our
ICU in a separate, large room of the ER. We are fully staffed by
all travelers; including MD’s, NP’s, and RN’s. Covid is new to
us all, and our resources are very limited. But, we are all
working together to policy make for our unit. We are each
gathering information as it becomes available and sharing with
one another to attempt to provide the best evidenced based care
that we can. This is an example of not only Interpersonal
Collaboration, but active policy making (Milstead & Short,
2019, p. 152). The current physician in charge of the unit has
encouraged us all to speak up with any ideas we have to provide
better care.
After this pandemic rescinds, there will be many healthcare

2. providers with direct experience that can actively legislate for
change. “National associations exert influence on politicians
and can make voices heard” (Laureatte Education, 2018).
Nurses organizations such as the American Nurses Association
provide an opportunity to advocate as a group (American Nurses
Association, n.d.).
Challenges that are faced at all levels can include funding and
resource allocation and awareness of the issue. Especially with
the Covid crisis, healthcare workers need to communicate to
representatives the imperative need for support and enactment
of policy to be prepared in the event of future crisis.
References
American Nurses Association. (n.d.).
https://www.nursingworld.org/
GovTrack.us Tracking the United States Congress . (n.d., ).
Congress [ comment]. Retrieved from https://www.govtrack.us/
Laureate Education. (2018).
Working with legislators
[Video file]. Retrieved from
https://class.waldenu.edu/bbcswebdav/institution/USW1/202050
_27/MS_NURS/NURS_6050/USW1_NURS_6050_module02.htm
l
Laureatte Education. (2018).
Health Policy and Politics
[Video file]. Retrieved from
https://class.waldenu.edu/bbcswebdav/institution/USW1/202050
_27/MS_NURS/NURS_6050/USW1_NURS_6050_module04.htm
l?course_uid=USW1.3108.202050&service_url=https://class.wal
denu.edu/webapps/bbgs-deep-links-
BBLEARN/app/wslinks&b2Uri=https%3A%2F%2Fclass.walden

3. u.edu%2Fwebapps%2Fbbgs-deep-links-BBLEARN#introduction
Milstead, J., & Short, N. (2019).
Health policy and politics a nurse's guide
(6 ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning