Discussion forum 1 and 2

Discussion Forum Introduction (can be used with any of the below subheads/answers) That health policy benefits greatly from the observations providedby nurses, came to common notice when Florence Nightingale in her inimitable way provided everyone directives in health policy and administration. Known as the lady with the lamp, Florence Nightingale is the ideal example for nurses and paramedics all over the world. It is with a complete understanding towards humanity that nurses approach their work today. Therefore, we must ensure that health policies built in every society is directed on the basis of experiences and recommendations from nurses. We observe all factors related to development of health policies on the basis of nursing experiences through the present article
What Is Health Policy?
 Define health policy and describe how policies impact patient care.
According to WHO, “ health policy refers to decisions, plans, and actions that are undertaken to achieve specific health care goals within a society” (Buerhaus & Needleman, 2000, p. 10). This definition speaks a lot about the cumulative approach that health policy development ends up being. The development of health policy creates a vision for the forthcoming generations and establishes targets and reference points towards achieving the specific health goals in the society. In a way, having set norms in health policy helps keep health institutions catering to patients in an uniform manner. Executive agencies and health departments are instructed to publish the norms related to the use of different treatment and healthcare protocols all across the area. This brings in a direct impact on the kind of patient care imparted in different organizations.
Awareness of the latest health policies and their practice is very important to ensure the growth of stability in society. The main focus on the use of payment tables which are important sections in the rule book and the medicare conditions of participation is very important and while health institutions, nursing and medicare personnel are aware of these policies, the common man reaps complete benefits only when he is aware of them too. As is observed in every society, health policies have a definite impact on the quality of care, staffing and payments in these institutions (Buerhaus & Needleman, 2000, p. 10).
 Identify and discuss the spheres of influence and provide an example of each sphere.
Important Spheres of Influences In Nursing
The main four spheres of influences in nursing can be defined as follows:
Government: The main role in deciding public policies is played by the government and its agenda.
Health Policy: Public policy developed and applied in the society decides how effectively a nurse performs.
Workplace: Rules and guidelines at the workplace decide whether or not a nurse is able to give her best services to patients.
 What is the nursing profession’s role in shaping health policy and politics?
The role of the nurse in policy making is very important today (Toofany, 2005, p. 27). Nursing professionals are given complete freedom to register their recommendations to the government and policy making bodies. Nurses can easily make their recommendations and cases studies heard by contacting the elected representatives in their state and use technology to reach out to them. They are allowed to take memberships in different professional organizations that are related to bill submissions in the government.
In short, the role played by nurses in health policy development and politics in any society can be direct and important, if one knows how to go about it.
References:
Buerhaus, P. I., & Needleman, J. (2000). Policy implications of research on nurse staffing and quality of patient care. Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice, 1(1), 5-15.
Toofany, S. (2005). Nurses and health policy: Swaleh Toofany asks how nurses can influence health policy in the new political environment following the election. Nursing Management, 12(3), 26-30.