Policy influences the delivery of health care in numerous ways. It can impact everything from methods of disposing hazardous materials to how often a patient’s vital signs are taken. These policies play a significant role in influencing the efficiency and effectiveness of quality health care. Consider policy problems that exist in your work setting. Think about who is trying to influence these policies.
Using the definition of politics in Mason, Gardner, and Outlaw (p. 10), address the following questions:
1) Identify a policy problem that exists (or existed) in your work setting.
2) Who is making decisions about the allocation of resources and what resources are involved to address the problem?
3) How does this align with the steps in the policy-making process?
4) How does this policy affect nursing and the delivery of health care?

Articles:

Faiman, J. and D’Antonio, P. (2013). History counts: How history can shape our understanding of health policy.Nursing Outlook, 61(5), 346-352.5

Primomo, J. and Bjoling, E. (2013). Changes in political astuteness following nurse legislative day. Policy, Politics,& Nursing Practice,14(2), 97-108.