How should nurses assure policy change for advanced practice registered nurses?” What role does the Affordable Care Act (ACA) play in addressing workforce shortages in rural communities?
ANSWER
Denisse’s response:
Nurses are important in advocating for policy change, particularly regarding access to healthcare services in rural communities. The ACA has made significant progress in addressing these workforce shortages, but much more work still needs to be done. In addition to promoting access to healthcare services, addressing the underlying factors contributing to workforce shortages, such as insufficient funding for healthcare programs and low healthcare professional salaries, is critical. Nurses can use their power to advocate for policies that address these issues and help to recruit and retain healthcare professionals in rural areas.
Expanding the role of APRNs is one potential strategy for addressing workforce shortages in rural communities. APRNs have the training and expertise to provide high-quality care, and broadening their scope of practice may help to fill gaps in rural healthcare services. However, including restrictive state laws and regulations, APRNs face significant barriers to practicing to the full extent of their education and training. Nurses can advocate for policies that eliminate these barriers and support APRNs’ expanded role in healthcare delivery.
Finally, nurses are important in advocating for policy changes to improve access to rural communities’ healthcare services. Nurses can help to address workforce shortages and improve health outcomes in underserved areas by collaborating with other healthcare professionals, participating in professional organizations, and promoting the expanded role of APRNs.
References:
C. L. Behr, J. P. Cioffi, & M. B. Buntin (2022). The Status and Challenges of the Affordable Care Act in Rural Health. 43rd Annual Review of Public Health, pp. 157–171.
P. Kuehnert et al (2022). The American Academy of Nursing promotes social responsibility through policy action. 4-12 in Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 54(1).
In response to Alejandro O.:
I appreciate your thoughts on how nurses can advocate for policy changes to support the expanded role of APRNs and address rural workforce shortages. The Affordable Care Act has been critical in promoting policies that promote healthcare workforce development and expand access to healthcare services in underserved areas. However, work must be done to address the underlying causes of workforce shortages, such as low wages and insufficient funding for healthcare programs.
Expanding the role of APRNs is one potential strategy for addressing rural workforce shortages. APRNs have the training and expertise to provide high-quality care, and broadening their scope of practice may assist in filling gaps in healthcare services in underserved areas. However, APRNs need help to fully practice their education and training, such as restrictive state laws and regulations. Nurses can advocate for policies that eliminate these barriers and support APRNs’ expanded role in healthcare delivery.
In addition to promoting the expanded role of APRNs, addressing the social determinants of health that contribute to rural health disparities is critical. Nurses can advocate for policies that address these issues, such as increased access to transportation, education, and nutritious food. We can promote health equity and improve health outcomes by addressing these underlying factors in underserved areas.
Finally, nurses are critical in advocating for policy changes to address workforce shortages and improve access to healthcare services in rural communities. Nurses can help to improve health outcomes and promote health equity in underserved areas by promoting the expanded role of APRNs and addressing the social determinants of health.
References:
M. E. Cramer, C. A. Gallegos, and J. S. Harman (2021). A Review of the Literature on Advocating for Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Full Practice Authority. 5-15 in Journal of Nursing Regulation, 12(4).
Soper, K. S., and K. S. Lee
Denisse and Alejandro both make valid points about nurses’ role in ensuring policy change for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and addressing rural workforce shortages. Nurses can educate policymakers, collaborate with other healthcare professionals, and join professional organizations to promote policy change that supports APRNs’ expanded role in healthcare delivery. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) funds the National Health Service Corps, promotes telehealth and invests in healthcare workforce development programs that help train and educate healthcare professionals, including APRNs, in rural areas.
However, it is important to note that APRNs face significant barriers to fully practicing their education and training, including restrictive state laws and regulations. Nurses can advocate for policies that eliminate these barriers and support APRNs’ expanded role in healthcare delivery. Furthermore, nurses can address the underlying factors contributing to workforce shortages, such as insufficient funding for healthcare programs and low healthcare professional salaries.
Expanding the role of APRNs is one potential strategy for addressing workforce shortages in rural communities. APRNs have the training and expertise to provide high-quality care, and broadening their scope of practice may help to fill gaps in rural healthcare services. Nurse leaders should use their influence to change healthcare policy and engage more nursing staff. Nurses can be critical in improving access to healthcare services in rural communities by advocating for policy changes and addressing workforce shortages.
References:
M. E. Cramer, R. Amerson, & C. W. Delaney (2021). A systematic review of advocacy strategies for APRN practice. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners Journal, 33(9), 675–681. doi: 10.1097/JXX.0000000000000584.
R. Lee, M. D. Hagedorn, A. L. Dopp, C. L. Hunter, & R. Sloane (2021). A systematic review of the Affordable Care Act’s impact on rural communities. Doi: 10.1111/jrh.12494.
P. Kuehnert, A. M. Villarruel, and P. W. Stone (2022). Nursing policy leadership in health care. Nursing & Health Promotion: An International Perspective (2nd ed. ), edited by A. M. Villarruel, C. E. Bishop, J. J. Simpson, and E. A. Jemmott (pp. 275-287). Springer Publishing Group.
C. L. Behr et al (2022). I am evaluating Rural and Urban Hospitals and Markets in the United States for Health Reform. 223-232 in Applied Health Economics and Health Policy, 20(2). doi: 10.1007/s40258-021-00618-5
QUESTION
How should nurses assure policy change for advanced practice registered nurses?” What role does the Affordable Care Act (ACA) play in addressing workforce shortages in rural communities?
I just attached two discussions to make a reply to each one. Each reply should include 200 words and a minimum of two references in APA 7 format within the last 5 years.
Plagiarism must be less than 15 %
Peer 1, Denisse:
Nurses are the most significant human group in the health workforce and are empowered to understand how health policy influences patients and communities. As professionals, they are impacted daily by politics in general and politics in the health area. Any member of nursing can advocate for needed changes in their workplace, within nursing organizations, with government agencies, or even with legislators. The American Academy of Nursing uses the knowledge and influence of its members to improve individual and community health, influencing US national health policy with a population-centered focus on nursing actions. (Kuehnert, P., et al., 2022) Every nurse can have a voice in creating and enforcing health policy and pursue a political career by focusing their work on improving health policy. The topics of action can be varied. Initially, individual health, considering socioeconomic and cultural factors of the individual, helps to break down barriers to accessing the health system Nurses can also act in favor of the population’s health, focusing efforts on community activities through resources, services, and education for the community specific. Finally, they can act to benefit the health of the professional team, improving working conditions and personal well-being of nurses, seeking quality of life and safety.
Nurses have unique training and experience to help with public health policies. Seeking to meet the needs of various patients, nurses are essential to reporting personal experiences of how health policy affects patient care. A topic of significant importance for nursing is facing the shortage of professionals in rural areas. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a reform act of 2010 that increases health insurance coverage for the uninsured and encourages reforms in the health insurance market. In this way, the ACA assisted rural communities by facilitating access to health care through Medicaid and affordable insurance options for this population. These measures also support rural hospitals, preventing closure due to unpaid care. (Behr, C.L., et al., 2022)
Even with the improvements offered by legislation through the ACA, residents of rural communities may face some barriers to accessing coverage. Promoting adequate transport and service availability with physicians and nurses in the region is essential. These factors can be the front of the struggle for nurses in defense of good services for rural communities. Also, the availability of telemedicine health services, for example, for patients in rural communities, can help to reach the population covered by health care, avoiding difficulties in accessing professionals. Nurse leaders should use their leverage to adjust healthcare policy within their organization and encourage more nursing staff to be involved.
Peers 2, Alejandro O.
Assuring policy change for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) requires advocacy efforts from nurses and nursing organizations. Here are some steps nurses can take to promote policy change for APRNs:
*Educate policymakers: Nurses can engage with policymakers to educate them about the importance of APRNs in healthcare delivery, the role they play in providing high-quality care, and the barriers that prevent them from practicing to the full extent of their education and training.
*Collaborate with other healthcare professionals: Nurses can work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals, such as physicians and pharmacists, to promote policy change that supports the expanded role of APRNs in healthcare delivery.
*Participate in professional organizations: Nurses can join professional organizations that advocate for the interests of APRNs and work to promote policy change at the local, state, and national levels. (Cramer, et al,.2021)
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has several provisions that address workforce shortages in rural communities, including:
*Expanding access to primary care: The ACA provides funding for the National Health Service Corps, which places primary care providers, including APRNs, in underserved communities.
*Supporting telehealth: The ACA supports the use of telehealth, which can help bridge the gap in access to healthcare services in rural communities.
*Investing in healthcare workforce development: The ACA provides funding for healthcare workforce development programs that support the training and education of healthcare professionals, including APRNs, in rural areas. (Lee et al,.2021)
Overall, the ACA plays a significant role in addressing workforce shortages in rural communities by promoting policies that support the expanded role of APRNs and increase access to healthcare services. Nurses can leverage the provisions of the ACA to promote policy change and advocate for the interests of APRNs in rural communities.