Walden University MSN Nursing Discussion: The Role of Nurses in Agenda Setting

Walden University MSN students in policy courses often participate in discussions that explore how nurses contribute to shaping healthcare priorities. This discussion board assignment aligns with early modules in NURS 6050 Policy and Advocacy for Improving Population Health, emphasizing agenda setting in the policy process.

Discussion Overview

Course Context: MSN Core – Policy and Advocacy for Improving Population Health (similar to NURS 6050)

Assignment Task: Submit an initial post (350–500 words) on nurses’ role in agenda setting, and reply to at least two peers.

Due Dates: Initial post by Day 3; responses by Day 6 (adjusts with course pacing).

Discussion Instructions

Select a current healthcare issue that affects population health (such as access to mental health services, opioid crisis response, or maternal mortality rates). In your initial post, address these points:

1. Explain what agenda setting means in health policy and why certain issues gain attention from policymakers.
2. Describe the selected healthcare issue and factors that have helped or hindered its placement on policy agendas.
3. Discuss specific ways nurses can influence agenda setting, such as through professional organizations, direct advocacy, or sharing clinical experiences.
4. Provide examples from recent policy developments where nurse involvement helped elevate an issue.
5. Reflect on opportunities for advanced practice nurses to contribute to agenda setting and advance positive social change.

In responses to peers: Offer thoughtful feedback on their examples or suggestions. Add supporting evidence or alternative perspectives, citing sources as needed.

Formatting and Posting Requirements

• Initial post: 350–500 words, supported by at least 3 scholarly references in APA 7th edition.
• Responses: Minimum 150 words each, engaging and respectful.
• Apply subheadings for organization when helpful.
• Submit posts in the discussion forum by specified deadlines.

Grading Rubric Criteria

• Understanding of agenda setting (20%): Accurate and clear explanation.
• Analysis of selected issue (30%): Relevant factors identified with evidence.
• Role of nurses discussion (25%): Specific, practical strategies provided.
• Peer responses (15%): Substantive contributions to discussion.
• Scholarly writing, citations, APA (10%): Professional and properly formatted.

Discussions on agenda setting help MSN students recognize their potential impact on health policy at Walden University. Recent course examples often include topics like mental health parity or workforce shortages.

Nurses continue to play vital roles in agenda setting, helping prioritize issues that improve population health outcomes

References

Milstead, J. A. and Short, N. M. (2019) Health policy and politics: a nurse’s guide. 6th edn. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Kingdon, J. W. (2011) Agendas, alternatives, and public policies. Updated 2nd edn. Boston: Longman.

Williams, S. D., Phillips, J. M. and Koyama, K. (2018) ‘Nurse advocacy: adopting a health in all policies approach’, Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 23(3). doi:10.3912/OJIN.Vol23No03Man01.

Corless, I. B. et al. (2018) ‘Expanding nursing’s role in responding to global pandemics’, Nursing Outlook, 66(4), pp. 412–415. doi:10.1016/j.outlook.2018.06.003.

Salvage, J. and White, J. (2019) ‘Nursing leadership and health policy: everybody’s business’, International Nursing Review, 66(2), pp. 147–149. doi:10.1111/inr.12523.