policy assessment

WEEK

TOPICAL OUTLINE

ACTIVITIES AND ASSIGNMENTS

Week 1

Introduction to Health Care Policy and Leadership

· Policy and politics

· Policy models

· Policy decision making: consumers, providers, and regulatory bodies

· Spheres of influence for nurse leaders

Review: Getting Started on Canvas Home Page. Review and print out the Syllabus and Activities & Assignment

Note: Each week begins on Monday at 12:01 AM/EST and ends on

Sunday at 11:59 PM/EST

*** Note: For all written activities, discussion postings, and assignments, students may use the articles posted in the class only in addition to the required peer-reviewed scholarly journals and references. ***

Readings:

· Porche (2019): Chapters 1 and 10

Week 1 Content

· Go to Modules on the Course Menu, click, and scroll down to Week 1 content

Journal Article(s):

Jurns, C. (2019). Policy advocacy motivators and barriers: Research results and

application. The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 24 (3).

Martsolf, G. R. & Thomas, T. H. (2019). Integrating political philosophy into health policy education. Policy, Politics & Nursing Practice, 20 (1), 18-27.

Discussion Board Posting and Meet Your Classmates (3 points):

Please introduce yourself to your classmates and, if you wish, attach a picture of yourself. Respond to a few of your classmates’ posts when they become available. Here is some information you may want to include in your post:

· Your name

· Brief personal background about your interests, hobbies, etc.

· Your current courses and major

· Future plans

· Your picture attachment

Nurses have a large role on the healthcare team and their knowledge of providing care to individuals, groups, and communities is not fully utilized. To effectively lead the public in health care policy one must understand the many different types of health care policies and the political processes. Read Porche (2019); chapter one to better understand policies and political strategies to implement change.

Choose one health issue from the past five years that demonstrates how nurses have influenced policy change and discuss the following:  

· Identify the agenda of the health policy.

· Analyze the competing agendas of the stakeholders and the public opinion regarding the policy.

· Describe the MSN Essential that supports the master’s prepared nurse leader’s participation in the chosen health policy.

· Identify the state and federal initiatives that affect the policy.

Assignment 1: Healthcare Policy Bill Selection (5 points):

· Review the instructions that follow this grid

· Post to discussion board forum Assignment 1: Health Care Policy Bill Selection by Monday of Week 2

WEEK

TOPICAL OUTLINE

ACTIVITIES AND ASSIGNMENTS

Week 2

US Government,

Legislative Process, and Nurse Leaders as

Policymakers

· Executive, legislative and judicial branches of government

· Legislative process

· Policy formation, implementation, and analysis

· Nurses as policymakers

Readings:

· Porche (2019): Chapters 3-5 (pp. 49-99), 9 (153-162), and 15 (pgs. 280 – 290)

Week 2 Content

· Go to Modules on the Course Menu, click, and scroll down to Week 2 content)

Journal Article(s):

Causo, C. C., Baldwin, C. M., Berger, A., Chasens, E.R., Edmonson, J. C. Gobel, B.

H., Landis, C.A., Patriciain, P. A., Redeker, N. S., Scott, L. D., Todero, C. Trinkoff, A., & Tucker, S. (2019). Policy brief: Nurse fatigue, sleep, and health, and ensuring patient and public safety. Nursing Outlook, (67) 5, 615-619.

Discussion Board Posting (3 points):

Select an institutional policy in your practice setting affecting patients, service, or staff to identify and discuss the following issues:

· Discuss the policy initiative and its stakeholders.

· Describe the perceived outcome(s) resulting from the selected initiative and how it addresses the health care issue.

· Identify pros and cons to the initiative and how these impact stakeholders.

Assignment 2: Policy Brief Paper (19 points):

Students will develop a written  Policy Brief utilizing the chosen state or federal bill selected in Assignment 1. A policy brief is a “short document providing findings and recommendations to an audience who may not be experts in an area of interest” which serves to give policy advice (DeMarco & Adams, 2014, p. 209). Nurse leaders can utilize a policy brief to explain a perceived problem to an administrator, constituents, and/or legislators. A policy brief provides a quick snapshot of the problem or the issue and a solution.

Review the section  Policy Briefs pp. 300-302 and Box 15-11, in Porche (2019), the journal articles provided in Week 2, and new resources posted below to assist in understanding the intent and the development of a policy brief.

· Review the instructions and grading rubric that follow this grid

· Submit paper to Turnitin Direct prior to submitting to Assignment Drop Box

· Make any revisions necessary based on the Originality Report

· Submit to the Assignment Drop Box by the posted due date

WEEK

TOPICAL OUTLINE

ACTIVITIES AND ASSIGNMENTS

Week 3

Health Care Organization and Health Care Delivery Issues

· Primary, secondary, and tertiary care

· Delivery of health care: Health care systems

· Policy Institutes

· White Papers

Readings:

· Porche (2019): Chapters 14 (pp. 263-271) and 17 (349-358)

Recommended Reading:

· Bodenheimer and Grumbach: Chapters 5 & 6 (pp. 45-74)

Week 3 Content

· Go to Modules on the Course Menu, click, and scroll down to Week 3 content

Journal Article(s):

Smith, L. B. (2021). The effect of nurse practitioner scope of practice laws on primary

care delivery.  Health Economics, 1-21.

Online Class Activity 1 (5 points):

Based on the  policy brief that you submitted present a  policy speech. This is a recorded 5 minute (maximum) presentation using Kaltura media (reference slide only).

· Follow the instructions for using Kaltura located in the Kaltura Resources in the modules

· Develop a policy speech in Kaltura utilizing Porche (2019) Box 15-10  Policy Speech Guidelines to organize the presentation

· Utilize the  Policy Brief Evaluation Criteria found in Porche (2019) Box 15-12 when responding to one peer

Initial post due by Thursday and one reply by Sunday.

See instructions following the grid

Discussion Board Posting (3 points):

A  Position Paper, also known as a  White Paper, is a tool to educate and inform the public on a specific health issue. This authoritative document takes a specific position or recommends a specific approach to solving an identified problem. Choose a White Paper and include the link.

In this discussion, students will evaluate the White Paper and consider the quality and source of the message. The post should include:  

· an overview of the White Paper selected and how it relates to a health care policy effort of interest to the master’s prepared nurse - include its' source and purpose 

· how the chosen White Paper can advance current health systems, practice, and/or organizations to improve health outcomes

· the selected White Papers' impact on economic, legal, and/or regulatory processes

WEEK

TOPICAL OUTLINE

ACTIVITIES AND ASSIGNMENTS

Week 4

Reimbursement and Cost Containment

· Reimbursement methods used in health care today

· Health care costs and health outcomes

· Strategies for cost containment

· Nurse leader’s role in cost containment, reimbursement, and health outcomes

Readings:

· Bodenheimer and Grumbach: Chapters 2 - 4, and 9

Week 4 Content

· Go to Modules on the Course Menu, click, and scroll down to Week 4 content.

Discussion Board Posting (3 points):

Hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) affect a healthcare organizations’ economy (bottom line). Choose a HAC and discuss the following:

· Describe the selected HAC.

· Analyze the economic effects of the HAC supported by data.

· Interrupt how the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Non-Payment Policy impacts provisions for providing cost-effective care.

· Choose an evidence-based policy that supports reduction of HAC and how the masters prepared nurse can promote it.

Assignment 3: Policy Analysis Scholarly Paper (25 Points):

· Review the instructions and grading rubric that follow this grid

· Submit paper to Turnitin Direct prior to submitting to Assignment Drop Box

· Make any revisions necessary based on the Originality Report

· Submit to the Assignment Drop Box by the posted due date

WEEK

TOPICAL OUTLINE

ACTIVITIES AND ASSIGNMENTS

Week 5

Nurse Leader Role in Policy and Politics

· Policy, law, and regulation

· Political and professional engagement

· Advocating for policy change

· State and national professional nursing organizations

Readings:

· Porche (2019): Chapter 7

Week 5 Content

· Go to Modules on the Course Menu, click, and scroll down to Week 5 content

Online Class Activity 2 (5 points):

· Initial post due by Thursday and one reply by Sunday

· See instructions following the grid

· Many professional nursing organizations engage in the development of health policy. One way nurses participate in health and nursing policy issues is through membership in one or more of these organizations.

· Choose one local, state, or national nursing organization other than American Nurses Association (ANA) that has an interest in policy development and advocacy. Include the following criteria in the post:

· Describe the organizational status (national / date)

· Discuss the vision/mission

· Identify the organization’s mandates or objectives/goals

· Describe the policy goals (if they have written one)

· Discuss policy products (briefs, positions statements, White Papers, social media)

· Assess the webpage that outlines their political activity

· Describe the mechanisms for nurses to engage in the activity

Discussion Board Posting (3 points):

The Future of Nursing 2020-2030 under the auspices of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine produced a consensus report through an ad hoc committee that charts a path for the nursing profession to help our nation create a culture of health, reduce health disparities, and improve the health and well-being of the U.S. population in the 21st century.

Review the link in the module and choose a chapter that is relevant to your nursing career. (An example it that nurse educators might search for education). In relation to health policy development, identify an advanced practice nurse initiative, policy, law, regulation that is being promoted by a state or federal nursing organization. Research the area of concern and discuss two of the following.

· The goals of the goals of the recommended action.

· Target possible stakeholders who would benefit from the recommendations and those organizations which may become allies.

· Describe tactics that advanced practice nurses could implement to improve political engagement of their coworkers. 

WEEK

TOPICAL OUTLINE

ACTIVITIES AND ASSIGNMENTS

Week 6

Research, Evidence-Based Practice, and Evaluating Policy

· Policy research and evidence-based regulation

· Policy evaluation models

· Quality Improvement models

Readings:

· Porche (2019): Chapters 12 (pp. 237 – 249)

· Bodenheimer and Grumbach (2016): Chapter 10

Week 6 Content

· Go to Modules on the Course Menu, click, and scroll down to Week 6 content

Journal Article(s):

Sae, S. (2017). CMS Nonpayment policy, quality improvement, and hospital-acquired

conditions: An integrative review. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 32, 55-61.

Discussion Board Posting (3 points):

Select a peer-reviewed journal that has a research study [ not provided in the course readings] related to quality monitoring (needle stick, falls, etc…) in health care delivery and:

· Discuss a brief overview of the article

· Describe the process indicator or outcome indicator that is used to measure quality

· Analyze whether the indicator effectively measures the problem - why or why not

· Discuss the economic, legal, and regulatory processes that affect the quality initiative

· Identify a way to monitor and measure one aspect of your current practice (turning patients, time spent collaborating with other health care workers, medication delivery, etc...)

WEEK

TOPICAL OUTLINE

ACTIVITIES AND ASSIGNMENTS

Week 7

Policy Leadership at the Local, State, and Federal Levels

· Board governance

· Organizational bylaws and policy decision making

· Nursing practice: State Boards of Nursing and Nurse Practice Acts

Readings:

· Porche (2019): Chapter 13

Week 7 Content

· Go to Modules on the Course Menu, click, and scroll down to Week 7 content

Online Class Activity 3 (5 points):

Corresponding to legislators is an important way to advocate for patients and the nursing profession. Provide a formal letter to the legislator in your district related to a controversial health topic

· the letter should support the specific position or recommended approach to solving the identified problem

· initial post due by Thursday and one reply by Sunday

· see instructions following the grid

Discussion Board Posting (3 points):

As nurse leaders, it is necessary to know current issues. Nurses must participate in the policy process and advocate for the nursing profession at the institutional, local, and state levels. The following criteria should be included in this weeks’ post:

· Discuss the purpose and goals of the Florida Action Coalition.

· Identify two issues and/or challenges facing nursing over the next 10 years with a context of the problem.

· Explain how can the nurse become involved in policy and advocacy at the institutional, local, and state levels – be specific.

Assignment 4: Policy Issue/Action PowerPoint Presentation (15 points):

· Review the instructions and grading rubric that follow this grid

· Submit to the Assignment Drop Box by the posted due date

WEEK

TOPICAL OUTLINE

ACTIVITIES AND ASSIGNMENTS

Week 8

Past, present, and future of health care reform: Conflicts and challenges

· Health care reform

· Inequities related to health care access

· Tensions in health care

· Nurses’ role as leaders in changing policy decision making

Complete the course and instructor evaluations!

Thank you

Readings:

· Bodenheimer & Grumbach (2016): Chapters 15,16 and 17

Week 8 Content

· Go to Modules on the Course Menu, click, and scroll down to Week 8 content

Journal Article(s):

Manchikanti, L., Helm II, S., Benyamin, R. M., & Hirsch, J. A. (2017). Evolution of

US Health Care Reform. Pain Physician, 20(3), 107-110.

Nickitas, D. M. (2016). Policy, politics, and the presidential campaign: What's at

stake for nursing? Nursing Economic$, 34(5), 213-254.

Assignment 4 cont’d: Policy Issue/Action Power Point Presentation:

· Create a thread and submit the Kaltura presentation to discussion board by Monday of Week 8

· Critique and comment on two classmate’s presentations by Friday of Week 8

· Responses may be on the same day; no references needed

· A total of two points are attached from Assignment 4 and will be reflected on final grade of the assignment. Please review Grading Rubric for Assignment 4.

Online Instructor and Course Evaluations

· Please complete the Course and Instructor Evaluations

· Link sent in the NSU Email

· Thank you!

Requirement

Description

Comments

Weekly Discussion Posting

· Consists of one initial posting by Wednesday of each week (1 point each) and three responses to other student’s due by Sunday (0.5 points each)

· Students are to be on the discussion board a minimum of four (4) days per week as evidenced by initial and response postings

· All initial and response postings are to be on separate days

· Use the reply button for all postings

· Students are expected to participate in weekly discussions on at least four separate days out of seven in the week.

Initial Post

· One initial post required each week

· Due by Wednesday at 11:59 PM/EST

· Support initial posting with two professional peer-reviewed scholarly journal references properly cited in American Psychological Association (APA) format

· The articles provided in the course may not be used as the required reference

· The course textbook and/or articles may be used in addition to the required two journal references

· The initial posting should be substantive demonstrating critical thinking and thoughts delving deeper into the discussion topic and course content 

Response Post to Peers

· Three responses to peers on three separate days required each week

· Begins Monday at 12:01 AM/EST, ends Sunday at 11:59 PM/EST

· Each response must include one reference

properly cited in APA format from professional peer-reviewed scholarly journals

· The articles provided in the course may not be used as the required reference

· The course textbook and/or articles may be used in addition to the required one journal references

· Responses are substantive interactions that build on the ideas of others and delving deeper into the discussion questions and course content in response to colleague’s postings

· I Agree is not an appropriate response for any postings

Responses to the Professor

· Considered a reply to a peer

· Same requirements as those to a peer

· In some instances, the professor will ask the student to elaborate on the initial posting, in this case, the student’s response will not be considered a reply to a peer

References

· Internet documents including Google references, blogs, Wikipedia, .com, or other non-scholarly documents should not be used for references

· Creditable Internet websites include .org, .edu, .gov or Health On the Net (HON) approved sites

· Scholarly professional online journals retrieved from the library using bibliographic databases or national professional organizations are acceptable

· All articles must be within a five-year timeframe unless otherwise stated by the instructor or a classic/historical source as defined by APA

· Citation of an article/source/reference implies that the student has personally retrieved and read the cited work

· Complete citations within the body of the postings and the reference list according to APA format

· Responses over the required number can be made without references

APA Format/Writing Quality

· All writing and references must follow current APA standards

· All discussion posts must reflect proficient writing skills consistent with your educational preparation. For example, a student is expected to spell words correctly, avoid using slang or text messaging language, punctuate and avoid syntax errors

· Spelling, grammar, and organization should reflect scholarly writing

· Focused on proper format for references and citations

· Versions of Microsoft Word do not always allow the formatting [font, italicizing, and indentation] to be carried over to the Canvas forum

· Points will not be deducted for font, italicizing, and indentation

Discussion Group

· Groups may not be used in all courses

· If utilized, participate in the assigned group

· Groups may not be used in all courses

Assignment Criteria

8 points

6 points

4 points

2 points

All topics/criteria addressed, and all questions fully answered

All topics/criteria addressed, and most questions fully answered.

One or more topics/criteria not addressed or completely answered

One or more topics /criteria not addressed, and most questions partially answered

Quality/Accuracy of Information

5 points

4 points

3 points

2 points

Information clearly relates to the main topic/criteria. It includes several supporting details and/or examples.

Information clearly relates to the main topic/criteria. It provides supporting details and/or examples.

Information clearly relates to the main topic/criteria. A few details and/or examples are given.

Information has little or nothing to do with the main topic/criteria.

Organization

4 points

3 points

2 points

1 point

Information is very organized with well-constructed paragraphs and levels of heading.

Information organized with well-constructed paragraphs and levels of heading.

There is an attempt at organization, but errors exist. No levels of heading.

The information or overall structure appears disorganized.

Sources

2 points

1 point

0.5 points

0 points

All references are from a relevant professional peer-reviewed scholarly journal, within a 5-year timeframe, or a classic/ historical source.

The majority of references are from a relevant professional peer-reviewed scholarly journal, within a 5-year timeframe or a classic/historical source.

Some references are from non-peer-reviewed scholarly sources or older than 5-years.

Majority of references are from non-peer-reviewed scholarly sources or older than 5-years.

Earned Points

Up to 10% of the assigned points (total points of assignment) can be deducted from the earned points for errors in APA style [title page, introduction, purpose statement, level heading, conclusion, references, citations, and format], spelling, and/or grammar.

Final Total