Choose a healthcare policy that has impacted clinical practice in your area of expertise. This could be a national policy (e.g., Affordable Care Act provisions), institutional protocols,

Competency: 

This assignment builds foundational skills for understanding how domains interact, forming the basis for evidence-based leadership and decision-making. The analysis prepares future nurse leaders to critically evaluate and influence policies that shape healthcare outcomes, ensuring readiness for higher-level assessments and real-world advocacy roles. Mastery of this skill is essential for advancing professional contributions and driving meaningful change in healthcare systems. 

Description: 

In this assignment, you will explore the interconnected roles of practice, research, and policy by analyzing a real-world healthcare policy that has influenced clinical practice. You will identify how clinical challenges informed research, how research guided the development of the policy, and how the policy impacted healthcare delivery. Additionally, you will reflect on the effectiveness of the policy and consider potential areas for refinement. This activity will help you connect theory to practice and prepare for your role as a DNP leader. 

Instructions: 

Select a Policy: 

Choose a healthcare policy that has impacted clinical practice in your area of expertise. This could be a national policy (e.g., Affordable Care Act provisions), institutional protocols, or state-level regulations.  Analyze the Interconnections: 

Practice: Describe the clinical challenge or issue that necessitated the policy. What aspects of practice highlighted the need for intervention?  Research: Identify the research that informed the development of the policy. What evidence supported the policy’s creation or refinement?  Policy: Explain how the policy has influenced clinical practice. What specific changes were implemented, and what were the intended outcomes?  Reflect: 

Evaluate whether the policy achieved its intended outcomes in practice.  Discuss any observed gaps or unintended consequences and propose how research or practice could refine the policy further.  Submit Your Work: 

Write an analysis addressing the points above.  Use examples from your professional experience, if applicable, or research a well-documented case