As a nurse, you can have a strong impact on the policies that are created and the effect that these policies have on nursing practice and the health care environment at many different levels. This can be particularly true within the organization in which you work. Think about an issue or topic in the care setting that you currently work. Consider the policies that are in place to address this issue or topic. (Note: If you are not currently working, consider a previous nursing position that you have held or a clinical experience that you had at a particular health care organization.) Once you have identified a topic or issue, respond to the questions in Step 2 of this assignment.
In your response, address the following questions:
- Determine one issue or topic in your care setting that has a policy you would like to change or that has no policy and one needs to be developed.
- Why does this issue need to be addressed? How would you go about determining the need for change in the current policy or the development of a new policy? Provide evidence from at least two professional sources that support this change.
- Describe the policy development process as it relates to your particular topic or issue that has been identified.