Policy isn't a four letter word: Creating an effective, in-depth health care policy class for MSN students

Abstract

Health care policy in the United States is facing monumental change. With more than 40 million uninsured, skyrocketing costs and passage of the health care reform bill, nurses are in a prime position to affect change in health care policy. Unfortunately, most practicing nurses feel uneducated about health policy and unprepared to enter the political arena.  In order to protect advanced practice nursing and the profession in general, it is imperative for advanced practice nursing students to be educated and skilled in political activism. This presentation will describe a process for creating an in-depth health care policy class that emphasizes active participation in the health care policy arena.