NURS 6050 – Policy and Advocacy for Improving Population Health: Policy Brief & Advocacy Strategy

This assignment requires you to analyze a current U.S. population health issue, examine how it has been addressed across recent presidential agendas, and design an evidence-based policy advocacy strategy consistent with the goals of NURS 6050. The task mirrors contemporary graduate-level expectations for nurse leaders who must understand health policy processes, evaluate their impact on cost, quality, and access, and actively advocate for improved outcomes at the systems level.

Assignment Overview

In this 8–10 page graduate-level paper (excluding title page and references), you will develop a concise policy brief and advocacy plan focused on a clearly defined population health concern (e.g., mental health access, opioid use disorder, maternal morbidity, chronic kidney disease, HIV prevention, rural health access). Your work should demonstrate how nurse leaders can influence federal and/or state policy agendas, resource allocation, and implementation using research evidence and strategic communication.

The assignment is informed by common requirements in current NURS 6050 policy tasks that emphasize examination of the policy process, presidential agendas, and advocacy for positive outcomes in program/policy design, implementation, and evaluation. [web:14][web:16][web:17]

Assignment Components

1. Population Health Problem & Context

In this first section, you will introduce and clearly frame the population health issue you have selected, grounding it in current data and trends.

• Identify and define a specific population health concern in the United States (national, state, or local level).
• Describe the affected population (e.g., age, geography, socioeconomic or racial/ethnic groups).
• Summarize recent epidemiological data (incidence, prevalence, outcomes, costs) from credible sources (CDC, WHO, AHRQ, peer-reviewed literature).
• Briefly explain why this problem is a policy priority (impact on cost, quality, access, and health equity).

2. Presidential Agendas and Administrative Focus

This section mirrors typical NURS 6050 tasks where students compare how multiple presidential administrations address a specific health issue. [web:16][web:17]

• Identify the current/sitting U.S. president and the two previous presidential administrations.
• Describe how each administration framed and prioritized the selected issue (or failed to do so) in speeches, policy documents, or legislative agendas.
• Discuss the administrative agenda focus: Was the issue primarily addressed through legislation, regulation, executive actions, funding initiatives, or public–private partnerships?
• Compare the extent to which each administration emphasized cost containment, access, quality, or equity for this issue.

3. Policy, Programs, and Resource Allocation

Here you connect the issue to concrete policy instruments and resource decisions, aligned with how NURS 6050 often requires students to analyze program effectiveness and funding. [web:16][web:17][web:19]

• Identify at least one key federal or state law, regulation, or major program relevant to your chosen population health issue.
• Describe how financial and non-financial resources (funding levels, workforce initiatives, infrastructure investments) have been allocated by the current and previous administrations.
• Explain how these allocations have influenced access, quality, and outcomes for the target population.
• Summarize any known gaps, implementation challenges, or unintended consequences.

4. Evidence-Based Policy Analysis

This section should demonstrate critical appraisal of the existing policy response and its real-world impact.

• Evaluate the effectiveness of current policies and programs in addressing your population health concern using recent empirical evidence.
• Discuss at least two facilitators and two barriers to effective policy implementation (e.g., political, economic, organizational, or social factors).
• Apply an appropriate policy or change framework (e.g., Kingdon’s Multiple Streams, PEST, or force field analysis) to structure your analysis.
• Identify clear gaps between policy goals and actual health outcomes.

5. Role of the Nurse Leader as Advocate

In line with course expectations, you will connect policy analysis with the professional responsibility of nurses to advocate for individuals and populations. [web:14][web:16][web:17]

• Describe advanced practice or nurse leader roles in influencing policy agendas, legislation, or regulatory decisions at local, state, or federal levels.
• Explain how nurses can use data, clinical experience, and patient stories to shape policy discourse and resource allocation.
• Discuss at least two professional organizations or coalitions that can amplify nurse advocacy around your chosen issue.

6. Policy Recommendation and Advocacy Strategy

This core section is your policy brief and action plan, turning analysis into a focused recommendation.

• Propose one specific, actionable policy or program change (new policy, amendment, funding change, regulatory update, or implementation strategy) to improve outcomes related to the population health issue.
• Justify your recommendation with current, peer-reviewed evidence and policy data.
• Identify primary stakeholders (e.g., legislators, agencies, professional associations, community groups, payers) and describe their interests and influence.
• Outline a concise advocacy strategy that includes:
  • Key messages tailored for policymakers or organizational leaders.
  • Communication channels (policy briefs, meetings, testimony, op-eds, social media, organizational advocacy).
  • Timelines and potential policy windows (e.g., budget cycles, elections, regulatory comment periods).

7. Implications for Health Equity and Population Health

Here you synthesize how your proposed change supports population health and addresses disparities.

• Discuss how your recommendation is expected to influence health outcomes across different groups.
• Explain the implications for health equity, particularly for historically marginalized or underserved populations.
• Describe how success would be measured using specific, measurable indicators (e.g., utilization, morbidity, mortality, cost, patient-reported outcomes).

8. Conclusion

Provide a short, focused closing section that reinforces the importance of nurse-led advocacy in shaping sustainable, evidence-based health policy for populations.

• Briefly restate the significance of the issue and the value of policy action.
• Reinforce the nurse leader’s role in ongoing policy monitoring, adaptation, and evaluation.

Formatting and Submission Requirements

• Length: 8–10 double-spaced pages (excluding title page and references).
• Format: Current APA 7th edition for headings, citations, and references.
• Font: 12-point, Times New Roman or similar readable font; 1-inch margins.
• Use clear level headings to organize each major section of the paper.
• Include at least 5–7 current, peer-reviewed sources (2019–2025) plus relevant policy documents and reputable data sources.
• Submit as a Word document via the course learning management system by the posted deadline.

Assessment Criteria (Indicative Rubric)

Content and Critical Analysis (40%)

• Clarity and depth in defining the population health issue and affected population.
• Accuracy and insight in describing presidential agendas, policy mechanisms, and resource allocation.
• Strength of critical evaluation of policy effectiveness, gaps, and implementation challenges.
• Quality and feasibility of the proposed policy recommendation.

Application of Evidence and Course Concepts (25%)

• Use of current, peer-reviewed evidence and credible data sources to support arguments.
• Appropriate use of policy and change frameworks.
• Clear linkage to course outcomes related to policy, advocacy, and population health.

Nurse Advocacy & Professional Role (15%)

• Specific, realistic description of the nurse leader’s advocacy role.
• Integration of interprofessional collaboration and stakeholder engagement.
• Attention to ethical and equity considerations.

Organization, Writing Quality, and APA (20%)

• Logical structure with clear headings and coherent flow between sections.
• Clear, concise, and precise academic writing with minimal errors.
• Accurate use of APA 7th edition for in-text citations and reference list.

NURS 6050 – Policy and Advocacy for Improving Population Health is a core graduate nursing course that trains nurse leaders to navigate healthcare reform, analyze presidential and legislative agendas, and advocate for equitable policy solutions. This assignment brief reflects current expectations for advanced practice nurses who must connect evidence, policy, and advocacy to drive measurable improvements in population health outcomes at local, state, national, and global levels.

References

1. Brownson, R.C., Kumanyika, S.K., Kreuter, M.W. & Haire-Joshu, D. (2023) ‘Upstream policy changes to improve population health and equity’, The Milbank Quarterly, 101(2), pp. 399–432.​

2. Laari, L. & Duma, S.E. (2023) ‘Health advocacy role performance of nurses in Ghana: A grounded theory study’, Nursing Open, 10(7), pp. 4522–4534.​

3. Poulton, B.C., Crengle, S., Mallinson, R.K., et al. (2021) ‘Policy advocacy and nursing organizations: A scoping review’, Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice, 22(4), pp. 294–306.​

4. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (2021) The Future of Nursing 2020–2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.​

5. Bucci, M., Galea, S. & Blasé, K. (2022) ‘Overview and summary: Nurses’ impact on advocacy and policy’, Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 27(2).