Purpose 

The purpose of this assignment is to discuss healthcare policy of the APN profession and how Transformational Leadership can help to influence policy changes. This week’s assignment focuses on the APN as a Health Policy Leader, one of the nine NONPF NP competencies.  Students will analyze how health policy may affect NP practice and how Transformational Leadership can help to influence policy changes.  

Activity Learning Outcomes 

Through this discussion, the student will demonstrate the ability to: 

1. Critically analyze how healthcare systems and APRN practice are organized and influenced by ethical, legal, economic and political factors (CO2) 
2. Demonstrate professional and personal growth concerning the advocacy role of the advanced practice nursing in fostering policy within diverse healthcare settings (CO3) 
3. Advocate for institutional, local, national and international policies that fosters person-centered healthcare and nursing practice (CO4) 

Requirements: 

Criteria for Content 

• Explanation of how healthcare policy can impact the advanced practice nurse profession 
• Explanation of why advocacy is considered an essential component of the advance practice nurse’s role
• Discuss the four pillars of Transformational leadership and the effect it may have on influencing policy change
• A scholarly resource must be used for EACH discussion question each week.

 DISCUSSION CONTENT  

 Explanation of how healthcare policy can impact the advanced practice nurse profession:  Research healthcare policy for APNs on a state and national level and the impact on the APN profession  

 Explanation of why advocacy is considered an essential component of the advance practice nurse’s role :  

Describe advocacy in healthcare terminology. 

Discuss how advocacy is an essential role of the APN and the impact on patient care. 

 Discuss the four pillars of Transformational leadership and the effect it may have on influencing policy change :  

Define Transformational leadership. 

Discuss how Transformational Leadership may have an effect on influencing policy change