What You Will Learn in NURS 4055: Healthcare Policy and Advocacy

NURS 4055: Healthcare Policy and Advocacy – Course Overview

NURS 4055: Healthcare Policy and Advocacy is an essential course designed for nursing students who are preparing to take on leadership roles in the healthcare sector. This course focuses on the importance of healthcare policy in shaping healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. It also emphasizes the role of nurses as advocates in influencing policy decisions that impact the nursing profession, patient care, and healthcare systems as a whole.

What You Will Learn in NURS 4055: Healthcare Policy and Advocacy

In this course, students will explore the key elements of healthcare policy, including the development, analysis, and implementation of policies that impact the healthcare system. Students will also learn how to use advocacy strategies to influence policy decisions at the local, state, and national levels. The course provides an in-depth understanding of the political, economic, and social factors that influence healthcare policy and equips students with the skills to advocate for change in healthcare practices and systems.

Key Topics Covered in NURS 4055: Healthcare Policy and Advocacy

The course covers a variety of essential topics related to healthcare policy and advocacy, including:

  • Healthcare Policy Development: Understand how healthcare policies are formulated, the political processes behind policy development, and the role of governmental and non-governmental organizations in shaping policy.

  • Health Systems and Reform: Study the structure of healthcare systems, health financing, insurance policies, and ongoing healthcare reforms at the national and global levels.

  • Nurses as Advocates: Learn about the critical role nurses play in advocating for policies that improve patient care, promote public health, and enhance the nursing profession.

  • Ethical Considerations in Healthcare Policy: Explore the ethical challenges in healthcare policy-making, such as access to care, patient rights, and social justice issues within healthcare systems.

  • Advocacy Strategies and Techniques: Study how nurses can influence policy decisions by lobbying, building coalitions, and engaging with healthcare leaders, legislators, and the public.

  • Global Health and Policy Issues: Explore global health concerns, international health policies, and the influence of global organizations like the WHO on healthcare systems and policies.

Learning Objectives of NURS 4055: Healthcare Policy and Advocacy

By the end of this course, students will:

  • Gain an understanding of how healthcare policies are created, implemented, and evaluated.

  • Learn how to critically assess the impact of healthcare policies on patient care, the nursing profession, and healthcare systems.

  • Develop skills to advocate effectively for policies that improve the quality and accessibility of healthcare.

  • Understand the political and ethical dimensions of healthcare policy-making and how to navigate these challenges in a professional capacity.

  • Be equipped with the knowledge to engage in healthcare policy discussions at local, state, and national levels, as well as within their own healthcare organizations.

  • Recognize the global context of healthcare policy and develop an awareness of international health issues and policies.