1. What is the difference between a policy and a procedure? Provide an example of each from your clinical setting. - A policy is a general statement that guides decision-making and actions in a specific situation. A procedure is a detailed set of instructions that describe how to implement a policy or perform a task. For example, a policy in a hospital might be to prevent falls among patients, and a procedure might be to use bed alarms, assess fall risk, and educate patients and families about fall prevention strategies. 2. What are some of the benefits and challenges of evidence-based practice (EBP) in nursing? How can you promote EBP in your organization? - Some of the benefits of EBP are that it improves patient outcomes, reduces variation in practice, enhances professional development, and supports ethical decision-making. Some of the challenges of EBP are that it requires time, resources, skills, and organizational support to implement. To promote EBP in your organization, you can use strategies such as conducting literature reviews, appraising and synthesizing evidence, developing and implementing practice guidelines, evaluating outcomes, and disseminating findings. 3. What are some of the factors that influence health policy development and implementation at the local, state, national, and global levels? Give an example of a health policy issue that affects each level. - Some of the factors that influence health policy development and implementation are political, economic, social, cultural, ethical, legal, environmental, and technological. For example, a health policy issue that affects the local level might be access to primary care services in rural areas; a health policy issue that affects the state level might be Medicaid expansion; a health policy issue that affects the national level might be health care reform; and a health policy issue that affects the global level might be pandemic preparedness and response. 4. What are some of the roles and responsibilities of nurses in health policy advocacy? How can you develop your skills and competencies in this area? - Some of the roles and responsibilities of nurses in health policy advocacy are to identify and analyze health policy issues, communicate effectively with stakeholders, collaborate with interprofessional teams, participate in coalitions and networks, influence policy makers and public opinion, and evaluate policy outcomes. To develop your skills and competencies in this area, you can engage in continuing education, join professional organizations, attend policy events and forums, read policy publications and reports, write letters and op-eds, testify at hearings, and lobby legislators. 5. What are some of the ethical principles and frameworks that guide nursing practice and health policy? How do you apply them to your clinical decision-making and policy analysis?