NR717 Week 6 ErnestYoung Discussion: Policy Analysis to Impact Population Health

NR717 Week 6 ErnestYoung Discussion: Policy Analysis to Impact Population Health – Step-by-Step Guide With Example Solution

The first step before starting to write the NR717 Week 6 ErnestYoung Discussion: Policy Analysis to Impact Population Health is to understand the requirements of the assignment. The first step is to read the assignment prompt carefully to identify the topic, the length and format requirements. You should go through the rubric provided so that you can understand what is needed to score the maximum points for each part of the assignment. 

It is also important to identify the paper’s audience and purpose, as this will help you determine the tone and style to use throughout. You can then create a timeline to help you complete each stage of the paper, such as conducting research, writing the paper, and revising it to avoid last-minute stress before the deadline. After identifying the formatting style to be applied to the paper, such as APA, review its use, including writing citations and referencing the resources used. You should also review the formatting requirements for the title page and headings in the paper, as outlined by Chamberlain University.

How to Research and Prepare for NR717 Week 6 ErnestYoung Discussion: Policy Analysis to Impact Population Health

The next step in preparing for your paper is to conduct research and identify the best sources to use to support your arguments. Identify a list of keywords related to your topic using various combinations. The first step is to visit the Chamberlain University library and search through its database using the important keywords related to your topic. You can also find books, peer-reviewed articles, and credible sources for your topic from the Chamberlain University Library, PubMed, JSTOR, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar. Ensure that you select the references that have been published in the last 5 years and go through each to check for credibility. Ensure that you obtain the references in the required format, such as APA, so that you can save time when creating the final reference list. 

You can also group the references according to their themes that align with the outline of the paper. Go through each reference for its content and summarize the key concepts, arguments and findings for each source. You can write down your reflections on how each reference connects to the topic you are researching. After the above steps, you can develop a strong thesis that is clear, concise and arguable. Next, create a detailed outline of the paper to help you develop headings and subheadings for the content. Ensure that you plan what point will go into each paragraph.

How to Write the Introduction for NR717 Week 6 ErnestYoung Discussion: Policy Analysis to Impact Population Health

The introduction of the paper is the most crucial part, as it helps provide the context of your work and determines whether the reader will be interested in reading through to the end. Begin with a hook, which will help capture the reader’s attention. You should contextualize the topic by offering the reader a concise overview of the topic you are writing about so that they may understand its importance. You should state what you aim to achieve with the paper. The last part of the introduction should be your thesis statement, which provides the main argument of the paper.

How to Write the Body for NR717 Week 6 ErnestYoung Discussion: Policy Analysis to Impact Population Health

The body of the paper helps you to present your arguments and evidence to support your claims. You can use headings and subheadings developed in the paper’s outline to guide you on how to organize the body. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence to help the reader know what point you will be discussing in that paragraph. Support your claims using the evidence collected from the research, and ensure that you cite each source properly using in-text citations. You should analyze the evidence presented and explain its significance, as well as how it relates to the thesis statement. You should maintain a logical flow between paragraphs by using transition words and a flow of ideas.

How to Write the In-text Citations for NR717 Week 6 ErnestYoung Discussion: Policy Analysis to Impact Population Health

In-text citations help readers give credit to the authors of the references they have used in their work. All ideas that have been borrowed from references, any statistics and direct quotes must be referenced properly. The name and date of publication of the paper should be included when writing an in-text citation. For example, in APA, after stating the information, you can put an in-text citation after the end of the sentence, such as (Smith, 2021). If you are quoting directly from a source, include the page number in the citation, for example (Smith, 2021, p. 15). Remember to also include a corresponding reference list at the end of your paper that provides full details of each source cited in your text. An example paragraph highlighting the use of in-text citations is as below:

“The integration of technology in nursing practice has significantly transformed patient care and improved health outcomes. According to Morelli et al. (2024), the use of electronic health records (EHRs) has streamlined communication among healthcare providers, allowing for more coordinated and efficient care delivery. Furthermore, Alawiye (2024) highlights that telehealth services have expanded access to care, particularly for patients in rural areas, thereby reducing barriers to treatment.”

How to Write the Conclusion for NR717 Week 6 ErnestYoung Discussion: Policy Analysis to Impact Population Health

When writing the conclusion of the paper, start by restating your thesis, which helps remind the reader what your paper is about. Summarize the key points of the paper by restating them. Discuss the implications of your findings and your arguments. Conclude with a call to action that leaves a lasting impression on the reader or offers recommendations.

How to Format the Reference List for NR717 Week 6 ErnestYoung Discussion: Policy Analysis to Impact Population Health

The reference helps provide the reader with the complete details of the sources you cited in the paper. The reference list should start with the title “References” on a new page. It should be aligned center and bolded. The references should be organized in an ascending order alphabetically, and each should have a hanging indent. If a source has no author, it should be alphabetized by the title of the work, ignoring any initial articles such as “A,” “An,” or “The.” If you have multiple works by the same author, list them in chronological order, starting with the earliest publication. 

Each reference entry should include specific elements depending on the type of source. For books, include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, the title of the book in italics, the edition (if applicable), and the publisher’s name. For journal articles, include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, the title of the article (not italicized), the title of the journal in italics, the volume number in italics, the issue number in parentheses (if applicable), and the page range of the article. For online sources, include the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or the URL at the end of the reference. An example reference list is as follows:

References

Morelli, S., Daniele, C., D’Avenio, G., Grigioni, M., & Giansanti, D. (2024). Optimizing telehealth: Leveraging Key Performance Indicators for enhanced telehealth and digital healthcare outcomes (Telemechron Study). Healthcare, 12(13), 1319. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12131319

Alawiye, T. (2024). The impact of digital technology on healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. E-Health Telecommunication Systems and Networks, 13, 13-22. 10.4236/etsn.2024.132002.

NR717 Week 6 ErnestYoung Discussion: Policy Analysis to Impact Population Health Instructions

Purpose

The purpose of this discussion is to analyze a health policy related to the selected population and practice problem.

This week, you discovered that the focus of healthcare policy has a growing emphasis on population health outcomes. As a DNP-prepared nurse, you must be able to critically appraise healthcare policies to influence policy decisions at every level. Have a look at NR717 Week 7 Discussion | Advocacy to Impact Population Health Through Written Testimony.

Instructions

Review the lesson and readings about Bardach’s eightfold steps to policy analysis, especially in the Chapter 4 Policy Analysis section of the Patton text. Then, select a healthcare policy that impacts, or has the potential to impact, the practice problem and population selected in previous weeks of this course.

The following links will assist in your search for policies and/or bills.

You can select a broad, national health policy (i.e., Accountable Care Act) or one that is specified for a specific health issue (i.e., Minority Diabetes Initiative Act).

Critically appraise the healthcare policy using Bardach’s eightfold steps to policy analysis:

  1. Define the problem
  2. Assemble evidence
  3. Develop alternatives
  4. Select criteria to evaluate the alternatives
  5. Project outcomes
  6. Analyze trade-offs
  7. Make decisions
  8. Communicate results

Please click on the following link to review the DNP Discussion Guidelines on the Student Resource Center program page:

  • DNP Discussion Guidelines
Program Competencies

This discussion enables the student to meet the following program competencies:

  1. Analyzes health care policies to advocate for equitable health care and social justice to all populations and those at risk due to social determinants of health. (POs 2, 9)
  2. Translates a synthesis of research and population data to support preventative care and improve the nation’s health. (PO 1)
  3. Leads others in professional identity, advanced clinical judgment, systems thinking, resilience, and accountability in selecting, implementing, and evaluating clinical care. (PO 1)
Course Outcomes

This discussion enables the student to meet the following course outcomes:

  1. Critically analyze the history, formation, and implementation of local, state and national health policies from the perspectives of stakeholders and the profession of nursing. (PC 5; PO 2)
  2. Synthesize ethical and legal principles to advocate for value-based, equitable, and ethical health policies at the micro, meso, and macrosystem levels. (PC 5; PO 9)
  3. Assimilate epidemiology principles and interventions to impact the social determinants of health, Global Burden of Disease, and population health outcomes. (PCs 7, 8; PO 1)
  4. Demonstrate collaborative interprofessional leadership and political competency to develop and implement healthcare policy to improve healthcare delivery and population health outcomes. (PC 5; PO 2)

NR717 Week 6 ErnestYoung Discussion: Policy Analysis to Impact Population Health Example

Policy Analysis to Impact Population Health

Defining the Problem

The term health disparity is used to describe the discrepancies in health status between subgroups of the population. Inequities occur when disparities between groups are considered unnecessary and unfair (Benson & Koroshetz, 2022). Socioeconomic status is correlated with health and nutrition disparities. Literacy, work status, shelter, nutrition, exercise program opportunities, and health care are all examples of social determinants of health (SDH) that need to be addressed to reduce health disparities (Benson & Koroshetz, 2022).

The widespread health inequalities within different countries can only be reduced via significant advances in the physical and social settings where vulnerable populations reside and work. The health and nutritional status of populations in countries where the SDH has been addressed has improved as they are the leading causes of health disparities.

Assembling Evidence

People from lower and higher income backgrounds now have equal access to healthcare courtesy of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). State and local governments have benefited from the act’s funding of disease prevention programs targeting hypertension and cardiovascular disease through the Prevention and Public Health Fund (Silberman, 2020).

Moreover, it has enhanced the collection and utilization of data on race, ethnicity, gender, primary language spoken at home, and disability status, all essential for a comprehensive assessment of health inequalities and determining effective strategies to address them. The government has also set up a system of departments dedicated to improving the health of minorities inside the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

Developing Alternatives

Adopting policies that allow organizations to research ways of reducing health disparities can also be considered. For instance, Finding Answers: Disparities Research for Change is a financed initiative that, among other things, aims to promote healthcare fairness by disseminating systematic assessments of the research on proven methods for minimizing healthcare inequities. Institutions and organizations that have set aside resources to help fight disparities in health should be given a chance to make an impact.

Criteria to Evaluate the Alternatives

Since their introduction, the ACA standards have provided hospitals and organizations that have adopted them with a foundational operational structure. Security, safety, organization, care, initiatives, justice, and administration are just a few areas where ACA standards impact (Silberman, 2020). The alternatives should be able to follow these standards set by the ACA to prove effective.

Project Outcomes

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has facilitated to reduce the healthcare access differences between low and high-income households. People can now afford healthcare services through initiatives like Medicare and Medicaid. This policy has solved the social determinants involving the acquisition of care, especially socioeconomic status (McIntyre & Song, 2019). In the future, the care aims to decrease health disparities, especially among disadvantaged populations.

Analysis of Trade-offs

Other options, such as the education of the public on awareness about health disparities, their effects and how to solve them, have been shown to produce satisfactory outcomes. Health disparities based on racial discrimination cost $93 billion annually in extra medical care expenses and $42 billion in lost productivity (Galvani et al., 2020).

Health inequalities are expensive and detrimental to the nation since they contribute to more excellent rates of sickness and mortality from preventable causes among populations who traditionally have less access to resources. Community and legislative actions are needed to address healthcare disparities.

Making Decisions

The ACA policy should be adopted in helping to decrease the existing health disparities among the population of African Americans in Jackson. It will ensure that individuals can access affordable and high-quality healthcare, helping to bridge the gaps seen in the prevalence of hypertension and heart disease burden observed in the population. Higher reimbursements should also be established to ensure healthcare providers can offer superior care.

Communicating Results

Improvements in coverage and healthcare availability have occurred on a national scale due to the ACA’s coverage expansions. Recent research and other studies show that this policy has also contributed to historically low rates of racial disparity in accessibility and coverage since 2014.

References

Benson, T., & Koroshetz, J. (2022). Health disparities: research that matters. Stroke, 53(3), 663–669. https://doi.org/10.1161/strokeaha.121.035087

Galvani, P., Parpia, S., Foster, M., Singer, H., & Fitzpatrick, C. (2020). Improving the prognosis of health care in the USA. The Lancet, 395(10223), 524–533. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(19)33019-3

McIntyre, A., & Song, Z. (2019). The US affordable care act: Reflections and directions at the close of a decade. PLOS Medicine, 16(2), 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002752

Silberman, P. (2020). The affordable care act: Against the odds, it’s working. North Carolina Medical Journal, 81(6), 364–369. https://doi.org/10.18043/ncm.81.6.364

NR717 Week 7: Health Policy Advocacy

Advocacy to Impact Population Health Through Written Testimony Discussion

Purpose

this discussion aims to demonstrate advocacy skills in health policy related to the selected population and practice problems. This week, you discovered that the DNP-prepared nurse needs to develop an advocacy plan to impact healthcare policy with an emphasis on population health. In this discussion, you will create written testimony that can be used to advocate for change to improve the outcomes for your selected population and practice problem.

Instructions

Review the lesson and readings about advocacy, especially the Jurns (2019) article on ISBAR. Then, using the population, population problem, and policy from previous weeks, prepare written testimony advocating for policy change or implementation. Using the ISBAR format presented by Jurns (2019), provide written testimony about policy change you would like to propose. You may address any policymaker from the local to national level but please identify your audience.

(I) Identify

  • Address the person to whom you are speaking.
  • Introduce self and provide credentials.
  • Present expertise/experience and interest in issue.

(S) Situation

  • Describe the issue.
  • Identify the policy and provide the bill name and number if applicable.
  • Present the consequences if the policy is not enacted using data.

(B) Background

  • Acknowledge the decisionmaker’s interests.
  • Restate your expertise and ability to comment on the issue.
  • Share a personal note of interest or brief story.

(A) Assessment

  • Give your expert professional assessment of the situation.
  • Provide evidence supporting how the policy positively affects stakeholders.
  • Identify support from stakeholders, special interest groups, and/or coalitions.

(R) Recommendation/Request

  • Offer your recommendation for a course of action.
  • Thank the policymaker for their time/attention.
  • Offer your assistance and expertise.

Salutation

  • Your name and title
  • Credentials
  • Contact information 

Program Competencies

This discussion enables the student to meet the following program competencies:

  1. Analyzes health care policies to advocate for equitable health care and social justice to all populations and those at risk due to social determinants of health. (POs 2, 9)
  2. Translates a synthesis of research and population data to support preventative care and improve the nation’s health. (PO 1)
  3. Leads others in professional identity, advanced clinical judgment, systems thinking, resilience, and accountability in selecting, implementing, and evaluating clinical care. (PO 1)

Course Outcomes

This discussion enables the student to meet the following course outcomes:

  1. Critically analyze the history, formation, and implementation of local, state and national health policies from the perspectives of stakeholders and the profession of nursing. (PC 5; PO 2)
  2. Synthesize ethical and legal principles to advocate for value-based, equitable, and ethical health policies at the micro, meso, and macrosystem levels. (PC 5; PO 9)
  3. Assimilate epidemiology principles and interventions to impact the social determinants of health, Global Burden of Disease, and population health outcomes. (PCs 7, 8; PO 1)
  4. Formulate strategies for providing culturally relevant and high-quality healthcare to vulnerable and high-risk populations to address social injustice and health inequities. (PCs 7, 8; PO 1)
  5. Demonstrate collaborative interprofessional leadership and political competency to develop and implement healthcare policy to improve healthcare delivery and population health outcomes. (PC 5; PO 2)

NR717 Week 7 Advocacy to Impact Population Health Through Oral Testimony Assignment

Purpose

The purpose of this assignment is to demonstrate advocacy skills in health policy related to the selected population and practice problem. This week, you discovered that the DNP-prepared nurse needs to develop an advocacy plan to impact healthcare policy with an emphasis on population health.

In this assignment, you will create an oral testimony presentation that can be used to advocate for change to improve the health outcomes for your selected population, National Practice Problem, and policy. Formulation of the testimony supports professional formation, communication, and dissemination skills relevant to the DNP-prepared nurse.

Instructions

  1. Review the lesson and readings about advocacy, especially the Jurns (2019) article on ISBAR.
  2. Using the population, National Practice Problem, and policy from previous weeks, prepare testimony advocating for policy change or implementation, using the ISBAR format presented by Jurns (2019).
  3. Use the same testimony that was created for the Week 7 Discussion. Incorporate feedback provided in the discussion post.
  4. You may address any policymaker from the local to national level but please identify your audience.
  5. Create the oral testimony using Kaltura or voice-over PowerPoint. Click on the following link for instructions on how to use Kaltura:

o Kaltura Tutorials

o PowerPoint Voice-Over Tutorial

Testimony Content and Organization

Your assignment will be graded on the content, accuracy, and quality of the testimony. Include each of the following components in your testimony:

(I) Identify

  • Address the person to whom you are speaking.
  • Introduce self and provide credentials.
  • Present expertise/experience and interest in issue.

(S) Situation

  • Describe the issue.
  • Identify the policy and provide the bill name and number if applicable.
  • Using data, present the consequences if the policy is not enacted.

(B) Background

  • Acknowledge the decisionmaker’s interests.
  • Restate your expertise and ability to comment on the issue.
  • Share a personal note of interest or brief story.

(A) Assessment

  • Give your expert professional assessment of the situation.
  • Provide evidence supporting how the policy positively affects stakeholders.
  • Identify support from stakeholders, special interest groups, and/or coalitions.

(R) Recommendation/Request

  • Offer your recommendation for a course of action.
  • Thank the policymaker for their time/attention.
  • Offer your assistance and expertise.

Salutation

  • Your name and title
  • Credentials
  • Contact information

Testimony Accuracy

  • Provide sufficient information and detail.
  • Explain content correctly to the policymaker being addressed.
  • Identify a direct relationship between the policy intervention and the proposal.

Testimony Quality

  • Demonstrate time management: Presentation is 3 minutes or less.
  • Follow the ISBAR format.
  • Adhere to Standard English usage and mechanics.
  • Provide clear and understandable audio.

Program Competencies

This assignment enables the student to meet the following program competencies:

  1. Analyzes health care policies to advocate for equitable health care and social justice to all populations and those at risk due to social determinants of health. (POs 2, 9)
  2. Translates a synthesis of research and population data to support preventative care and improve the nation’s health. (PO 1)
  3. Leads others in professional identity, advanced clinical judgment, systems thinking, resilience, and accountability in selecting, implementing, and evaluating clinical care. (PO 1)

Course Outcomes

This assignment enables the student to meet the following course outcomes:

  1. Critically analyze the history, formation, and implementation of local, state and national health policies from the perspectives of stakeholders and the profession of nursing. (PC 5; PO 2)
  2. Synthesize ethical and legal principles to advocate for value-based, equitable, and ethical health policies at the micro, meso, and macrosystem levels. (PC 5; PO 9)
  3. Assimilate epidemiology principles and interventions to impact the social determinants of health, Global Burden of Disease, and population health outcomes. (PCs 7, 8; PO 1)
  4. Formulate strategies for providing culturally relevant and high-quality healthcare to vulnerable and high-risk populations to address social injustice and health inequities. (PCs 7, 8; PO 1)
  5. Demonstrate collaborative interprofessional leadership and political competency to develop and implement healthcare policy to improve healthcare delivery and population health outcomes. (PC 5; PO 2)

NR717 Week 8: Practice Readiness in Population Health and Health Policy

Reflection on Learning and Practice Readiness Discussion

Purpose

The purpose of this discussion is to reflect on your own readiness to practice as a DNP-prepared nurse and consider what you learned in this course and how this knowledge will impact your practice.

Instructions

Each week, you have been reminded that reflective inquiry allows for expansion of self-awareness, identification of knowledge gaps, and assessment of learning goals. As you reflect on your own readiness to practice as a DNP-prepared nurse, it is important to consider what you learned in this course.

As you review the course outcomes and your experience in this course, address the following:

  1. Analyze and evaluate how your thinking was challenged in this course related to (1) advocacy for population health, (2) disaster preparedness, and (3) health policy.
  2. Considering this new knowledge, examine how this learning prepares you to practice as a DNP-prepared nurse.

Program Competencies

This discussion enables the student to meet the following program competencies:

  1. Analyzes health care policies to advocate for equitable health care and social justice to all populations and those at risk due to social determinants of health. (POs 2, 9)
  2. Translates a synthesis of research and population data to support preventative care and improve the nation’s health. (PO 1)
  3. Leads others in professional identity, advanced clinical judgment, systems thinking, resilience, and accountability in selecting, implementing, and evaluating clinical care. (PO 1)

Course Outcomes

This discussion enables the student to meet the following course outcomes:

  1. Critically analyze the history, formation, and implementation of local, state, and national health policies from the perspectives of stakeholders and the profession of nursing. (PC 5; PO 2)
  2. Synthesize ethical and legal principles to advocate for value-based, equitable, and ethical health policies at the micro, meso, and macrosystem levels. (PC 5; PO 9)
  3. Assimilate epidemiology principles and interventions to impact the social determinants of health, Global Burden of Disease, and population health outcomes. (PCs 7, 8; PO 1)
  4. Analyze the role of the advanced practice nurse in disaster and emergency management. (PCs 7, 8; PO 1)
  5. Formulate strategies for providing culturally relevant and high-quality healthcare to vulnerable and high-risk populations to address social injustice and health inequities. (PCs 7, 8; PO 1)
  6. Demonstrate collaborative interprofessional leadership and political competency to develop and implement healthcare policy to improve healthcare delivery and population health outcomes. (PC 5; PO 2)