What are the barriers to nurses’ participation in the development of health care policy at the state or national level or in an organization in the United States? Why do you think these are barriers?

Nurses participation in development of healthcare: Barriers and barriers

There are several barriers to nurses’ participation in the development of health care policy at the state or national level or within an organization in the United States. Lack of training and education on the policy-making process is a major obstacle, since many nurses have little knowledge about how policies are developed and implemented. In addition, nurses are underrepresented in the governing body responsible for establishing healthcare policies. Their perspectives could be overlooked when making important decisions which can impact patient outcomes. The costs of participating in these processes may be prohibitive for some organizations or individuals.

Another factor that contributes to the low levels of nurse representation in healthcare policy is a sense of powerlessness among nurses due to institutional hierarchies; they may feel like their opinions don’t matter because they are lower on the organizational ladder. This further serves to reduce engagement in policy-making initiatives as nurses feel like they won’t be able to make a meaningful contribution even if they do participate.

Lastly, the cultural stigma and prejudice towards certain groups of people may also be a barrier to some individuals who want to get involved in health policy. For instance, male co-workers may discriminate against female nurses who do not believe they have a place at the decision table or should influence health care policies.