"There is a plethora of policy books on the market, but none illustrate the steps in the policy process better than this one. The high caliber editors and contributors, all of whom have been involved in policy work, bring years of experience to illustrate the key points... This publication is timely as the shift in healthcare requires input from all health professionals, but especially nurses who are at the frontline of healthcare change and delivery. This outstanding resource will help motivate many more nurses to get involved in the policy process... Weighted Numerical Score: 93 - 4 Stars!"--Doody's Medical Reviews

Written by those in the knowñexceptional nurse leaders in practice, education, and politicsñthis is a practical, "how-to" book written to help advanced students and nurse leaders develop health policy skills to advocate for patients from the bedside to the larger political arena. Co-published with the American Nurses Association (ANA), the book examines the pivotal role of nurses' involvement in health policy and describes the requisite steps for facilitating policy changeñfrom understanding the political system through activating a plan and beyond. It features the voices of a wide variety of nurse leaders who discuss policy work both locally and nationally through descriptive case histories.

The book discusses those qualities and skill sets that are needed for advocacy at the bedside and other arenas where health policy is determined. It examines the political system and opportunities for nurse involvement, and clarifies the process of identifying issues that need a policy solution. Because citing research is an integral component of health policy solutions, the book describes how research can be used to strengthen policy initiatives. The book guides the reader step by step through the process of creating a work plan and describes the resources needed to accomplish policy change. Activating an action plan and strategies for working with the media are covered, along with the process of taking a leadership role, evaluating outcomes, using policy to eliminate health inequities, and maintaining and expanding momentum. Woven throughout the book are the major themes of ethics, leadership, safety, and the quest for quality of care. The text provides information and perspectives relevant to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) doctor of nursing practice (DNP) Essentials, and includes multimedia electronic links to resources (podcasts, online articles, social network resources, and key political websites) that promote policy research and leadership development.

KEY FEATURES:

• Delineates the steps to becoming a policy advocate in organizational, educational, and political settings
• Written by noted nurse leaders who describe policy work locally and nationally
• Presents competencies for nursing policy work derived from the AACN DNP Essentials
• Focuses throughout on themes of ethics, leadership, quality, and safety
• Facilitates web use for policy research and development
• Ancillary materials from the editors are available