Posted: June 14th, 2023

Advocating for the Nursing Role in Program Design and Implementation

Advocating for the Nursing Role in Program Design and Implementation
Number of sources: 4
Paper instructions:
As their names imply, the honeyguide bird and the honey badger both share an affinity for honey. Honeyguide birds specialize in finding beehives but struggle to access the honey within. Honey badgers are well-equipped to raid beehives but cannot always find them. However, these two honey-loving species have learned to collaborate on an effective means to meet their objectives. The honeyguide bird guides honey badgers to newly discovered hives. Once the honey badger has ransacked the hive, the honey guide bird safely enters to enjoy the leftover honey.

Much like honeyguide birds and honey badgers, nurses and health professionals from other specialty areas can—and should—collaborate to design effective programs. Nurses bring specialties to the table that make them natural partners to professionals with different specialties. When nurses take the requisite leadership in becoming involved throughout the healthcare system, these partnerships can better design and deliver highly effective programs that meet objectives.

In this Assignment, you will practice this type of leadership by advocating for a healthcare program. Equally as important, you will advocate for a collaborative role of the nurse in the design and implementation of this program. To do this, assume you are preparing to be interviewed by a professional organization/publication regarding your thoughts on the role of the nurse in the design and implementation of new healthcare programs.

To Prepare:

Review the Resources and reflect on your thinking regarding the role of the nurse in the design and implementation of new healthcare programs.
Select a healthcare program within your practice and consider the design and implementation of this program.
Reflect on advocacy efforts and the role of the nurse in relation to healthcare program design and implementation.
The Assignment: (2–4 pages)

In a 2- to 4-page paper, create an interview transcript of your responses to the following interview questions:

Tell us about a healthcare program, within your practice. What are the costs and projected outcomes of this program?
Who is your target population?
What is the role of the nurse in providing input for the design of this healthcare program? Can you provide examples?
What is your role as an advocate for your target population for this healthcare program? Do you have input into design decisions? How else do you impact design?
What is the role of the nurse in healthcare program implementation? How does this role vary between design and implementation of healthcare programs? Can you provide examples?
Who are the members of a healthcare team that you believe are most needed to implement a program? Can you explain why?

_____________________
Interview Transcript

Interviewer: Thank you for joining us today to talk about the role of the nurse in healthcare program design and implementation. Can you tell us about a healthcare program within your practice? What are the costs and projected outcomes of this program?

Nurse: Sure. I’m currently working on a program to improve the quality of care for patients with diabetes. The program includes a number of components, such as education and support groups for patients, as well as training for healthcare providers on how to better manage diabetes. The total cost of the program is estimated to be $1 million, and the projected outcomes include a reduction in the number of hospital admissions for diabetes-related complications, as well as an improvement in patients’ quality of life.

Interviewer: Who is your target population for this healthcare program?

Nurse: The target population for the program is patients with diabetes who are at high risk for complications. This includes patients who have had multiple hospital admissions for diabetes-related complications, as well as patients who have difficulty managing their diabetes on their own.

Interviewer: What is the role of the nurse in providing input for the design of this healthcare program? Can you provide examples?

Nurse: Nurses play a key role in providing input for the design of healthcare programs. We have a deep understanding of the needs of patients and families, and we can use this knowledge to help design programs that are effective and efficient. In the case of the diabetes program, nurses were involved in all aspects of the design process, from identifying the need for the program to developing the curriculum for the education and support groups.

Interviewer: What is your role as an advocate for your target population for this healthcare program? Do you have input into design decisions? How else do you impact design?

Nurse: As an advocate for my target population, I work to ensure that their needs are met. This includes providing input into design decisions, as well as advocating for the program within the healthcare system. In the case of the diabetes program, I worked with the program director to ensure that the curriculum for the education and support groups was culturally appropriate for the target population. I also worked with the hospital administration to secure funding for the program.

Interviewer: What is the role of the nurse in healthcare program implementation? How does this role vary between design and implementation of healthcare programs? Can you provide examples?

Nurse: The role of the nurse in healthcare program implementation varies depending on the specific program. In general, nurses play a key role in ensuring that programs are delivered as intended. This includes providing education and support to patients and families, as well as monitoring the program to ensure that it is meeting its goals. In the case of the diabetes program, nurses are responsible for delivering the education and support groups, as well as monitoring the program to ensure that it is meeting its goals.

Interviewer: Who are the members of a healthcare team that you believe are most needed to implement a program? Can you explain why?

Nurse: The members of a healthcare team that are most needed to implement a program vary depending on the specific program. However, in general, a team should include nurses, doctors, social workers, and other healthcare professionals who have expertise in the area of the program. In the case of the diabetes program, the team includes nurses, doctors, dietitians, and social workers. Each member of the team brings a unique perspective and set of skills to the table, which is essential to the successful implementation of the program.

Interviewer: Thank you for your time today. Your insights into the role of the nurse in healthcare program design and implementation are valuable.