What is Policy? 2- Explain each of them: Public policy— Private policy— Health policy— Social policy— Organizational policy?

QUESTION

1- What is Policy?

2- Explain each of them: Public policy—

Private policy—

Health policy—

Social policy—

Organizational policy?

3- Who was F

lorence Nightingale, and what was her contribution to the Nursing Field?

4- Who was Lillian Wald?

5- Who was Margaret Sanger, and in what way she helped to the developments of Nursing Field?

6_ what is (ICN), and what they do?

7- What is s (NLCA) and they do?

Jeanne Blum, RN, is a nurse on a LDRP unit. Recently, the policy and

procedures manual for Jeanne’s unit included the premature rupturing of membranes of a laboring patient

as a practice acceptable for nurses to perform. Jeanne

and some of her coworkers shared their concern over

lunch about this new responsibility.They felt uncomfortable with the possibility of cord prolapse and

other potential medical complications resulting from

this practice. Jeanne gathered data from her state and

many others states and noted that her hospital was

not in compliance with her professional organization

practice standards. Jeanne shared this information with her coworkers. She volunteered to contact the

state board of nursing on their behalf to request a

declaratory statement on the nurse’s role in the initiation of premature rupturing of uterine membranes.

Her state board’s clinical practice committee

reviewed her request for a declaratory statement and

gathered information from other states. A formal

declaratory statement was drafted by the board and

made it available on its Web site. A letter from the

board was sent to Jeanne’s institution, informing it of

the declaratory statement, which stated that the task

nurses were requested to perform was beyond their

scope of practice based on the Nurse Practice Act.

8-Which stage of the policy model does this scenario

represent? ■

ANSWER

The Importance of Policy in Nursing Practice: Understanding Public, Private, Health, Social, and Organizational Policies

Introduction

Policies play a crucial role in guiding decision-making and ensuring the effective and ethical practice of nursing. In the healthcare sector, various types of policies are implemented to address societal issues, regulate behavior, and improve patient care outcomes. This essay will provide an in-depth explanation of different policy types, namely public policy, private policy, health policy, social policy, and organizational policy. Additionally, it will discuss the contributions of influential figures in the nursing field, including Florence Nightingale, Lillian Wald, and Margaret Sanger. Furthermore, the roles of the International Council of Nurses (ICN) and the National League for Nursing (NLN) will be explored. Finally, a scenario will be analyzed to identify the stage of the policy model that it represents.

Public Policy

Public policy refers to the decisions and actions taken by governments and public authorities to address societal problems and promote the public interest. It encompasses laws, regulations, programs, and initiatives implemented at various levels of governance, such as national, regional, or local. Public policy areas in healthcare may include healthcare delivery, public health initiatives, health insurance, and access to care.

Private Policy

Private policy, also known as organizational policy, focuses on the rules, guidelines, and procedures established within private organizations, such as companies or non-profit entities. These policies govern internal operations, conduct, and practices. Examples of private policies include human resources policies, code of conduct, data privacy, and security measures.

Health Policy

Health policy encompasses decisions, plans, and actions taken to address health-related issues and improve overall well-being. Governments, health organizations, and stakeholders play vital roles in shaping health policies. This policy domain encompasses healthcare delivery, public health measures, health insurance, access to care, and health promotion.

Social Policy

Social policy involves principles, strategies, and measures adopted by governments or institutions to address social issues and promote social welfare (Social Policy, n.d.). It focuses on areas such as education, housing, income support, social services, poverty alleviation, and reducing social disparities. Social policies aim to enhance social well-being and equality.

Organizational Policy

Organizational policy refers to the set of rules, guidelines, and procedures established within private organizations to regulate internal operations, define roles and responsibilities, ensure compliance, and promote effective functioning. Examples of organizational policies include governance, financial management, risk management, and employee benefits.

 Florence Nightingale and Contributions to the Nursing Field

Florence Nightingale, a British nurse who lived from 1820 to 1910, is considered the founder of modern nursing. During the Crimean War, Nightingale and her team of nurses provided care to wounded soldiers, emphasizing cleanliness, hygiene, and infection control. Her research and advocacy efforts led to reforms in healthcare and nursing education. Nightingale’s book, “Notes on Nursing,” became a foundational text in the nursing profession.

 Lillian Wald’s Impact

Lillian Wald, an American nurse and social reformer (1867-1940), significantly contributed to public health nursing and the establishment of community nursing. She founded the Henry Street Settlement in New York City, which aimed to provide healthcare, education, and social services to underserved communities. Wald’s work focused on addressing social determinants of health, advocating for nursing services in homes, schools, and workplaces, and shaping public health policies.

Margaret Sanger and Developments in the Nursing Field

Margaret Sanger, an American nurse and reproductive rights activist (1879-1966), played a pivotal role in promoting birth control and family planning (Woman of Valor, n.d.). Her efforts led to the establishment of organizations such as the American Birth Control League (later known as Planned Parenthood). Sanger’s work influenced reproductive health policies, expanding women’s reproductive choices, and consequently impacting nursing practice in areas like reproductive healthcare and family planning counseling.

The International Council of Nurses (ICN)

The ICN is a global federation of national nursing associations representing nurses worldwide. Founded in 1899, the ICN promotes and advances nursing as a profession, advocating for the health and well-being of individuals and communities. The ICN influences health policy at the international level, provides leadership and guidance on nursing practice, education, ethics, and research, and facilitates knowledge exchange among nurses globally.

The National League for Nursing (NLN)

The NLN, established in 1893, is an organization that represents nursing education and workforce development in the United States (Skiba & Rizzolo, 2009). It serves as a membership association for nurse educators, nursing schools, and healthcare organizations. The NLN’s mission is to advance excellence in nursing education, providing accreditation services, research, professional development programs, and advocacy efforts to ensure a diverse and skilled nursing workforce.

 Scenario Analysis: Stage of the Policy Model

The scenario provided represents the stage of policy analysis and evaluation in the policy model. Jeanne Blum, an RN, identified concerns regarding the inclusion of premature rupturing of membranes as an acceptable practice for nurses in her unit’s policy manual. She gathered data, identified non-compliance with professional organization practice standards, and shared the information with her coworkers. Jeanne took action by contacting the state board of nursing, leading to a formal declaratory statement that determined the practice was beyond the scope of nursing practice.

Conclusion

Policies play a vital role in nursing practice, guiding decision-making, and ensuring the provision of high-quality care. Public, private, health, social, and organizational policies contribute to the overall development and regulation of the nursing field. Influential figures like Florence Nightingale, Lillian Wald, and Margaret Sanger have left lasting impacts on nursing practice and policy. Additionally, organizations such as the ICN and NLN work to advance nursing, advocate for health policies, and promote professional development. Understanding policy types and their implications helps nurses navigate complex healthcare systems and deliver patient-centered care within established frameworks.

References

Skiba, D. J., & Rizzolo, M. C. (2009). National League for Nursing’s Informatics Agenda. Cin-computers Informatics Nursing, 27(1), 66–68. https://doi.org/10.1097/ncn.0b013e3181931eef 

Social Policy. (n.d.). Google Books. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=6WqcAQAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=Social+Policy&ots=pEN4Db2cRA&sig=nCCJ1hctLHU8G1JUuc0qa_tozGI 

Woman of Valor. (n.d.). Google Books. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=vNkTEWUQXIcC&oi=fnd&pg=PA11&dq=Margaret+Sanger,+an+American+nurse+and+reproductive+rights+activist&ots=UwCFptZZ0z&sig=RGWUcY-DbPvv-AgghxmYAKZmuY4