Explanation of how healthcare policy can impact the advanced practice nurse profession.
Healthcare policy can have a significant impact on the advanced practice nurse profession because such policies affect the standards of practice for advanced practice registered nurses. Currently, at least 27 States across the U.S. have healthcare policies providing nurses with full practice authority. Such policies allow APNs to practice to the full extent of their educational knowledge and qualifications (Kleinpell et al., 2022). Healthcare policy, therefore, plays a significant role in determining the extent to which APNs can practice. Despite advanced practice nurses having the necessary qualifications, they can therefore be restricted in their scope of practice by healthcare policies in a given state or region. Healthcare policy can also impact the advanced practice nurse profession when it comes to reimbursement. The healthcare policies adopted by a given state determine the approach that is utilized to reimburse advanced practice registered nurses for the services they offer to patients (Kleinpell et al., 2022).
Research healthcare policy for APNs on a state and national level and the impact on the profession
In the state of Maryland, the healthcare policy for advanced practice registered nurses requires that such nurses be allowed to practice to the full extent of their education and qualification only after having a collaborative relationship with a physician or an experienced nurse practitioner with full practice authority for at least 18 months. In Maryland, the health policy allows APNs to sign life-sustaining treatment forms and other medical orders and even dispense and prescribe devices, drugs, and schedule II to V controlled substances after obtaining full practice authority permission. On the national level, one of the main healthcare policies affecting APNs is the Medicare reimbursement policy. The reimbursement policies and rates that are set by Medicare can have an impact on service delivery for all APNs across the nation (Kleinpell et al., 2022). On both the national and local levels, healthcare policies can contribute to expanding advanced practice nursing or restricting such practice. Restrictive healthcare policies can therefore interfere with the ability of APNs to provide quality healthcare services to the population (Kleinpell et al., 2022).
Explanation of why advocacy is considered an essential component of the advance practice nurse’s role.
Advocacy is considered an important component of APNs’ roles because APNs are in a position to identify vital healthcare practices and policies that can have a negative impact on patient outcomes. APNs can therefore use advocacy to raise awareness of specific issues and spearhead the implementation of policies that can promote access to healthcare services. APNs are also in close contact with patients, which places them at a good level to advocate for the needs of patients (Nelson, 2022).
Describe Advocacy In Healthcare Terminology.
Advocacy in healthcare refers to the process of promoting and supporting the interests and rights of patients, families, and communities in the healthcare system. Advocacy will involve identifying challenges and issues that will have an impact on patient care and working on effective strategies to address such issues through education policy changes and other strategies (Hanks et al., 2020).
Discuss How Advocacy Is An Essential Role Of The APN And Its Impact
Advocacy is an important role of the APN because of the close connection that APNs have with patients. APNs are able to easily note the difference between practice and policies and come up with an effective strategy to enhance patient care through advocating for specific policies (Nelson, 2022).
Discuss The Four Pillars of Transformational Leadership and The Effect It May Have On Influencing Policy Change
The four pillars of transformational leadership include inspirational motivation, idealized influence, individual consideration, and intellectual stimulation. Each pillar of transformational leadership is central to influencing policy change in that advanced practice nurses can be able to inspire the motivation of their team members, influence them and stimulate them intellectually in order to support policy changes (Hanks et al., 2020).

References
Hanks, R. G., Starnes-Ott, K., & Stafford, L. (2020). Patient Advocacy at the APRN Level: A Direction for the Future. Nursing Forum, 53(1), 5–11. https://doi.org/10.1111/nuf.12209
Kleinpell, R., Myers, C. R., Likes, W., & Schorn, M. N. (2022). Breaking down institutional barriers to advanced practice registered nurse practice. Nursing Administration Quarterly, 46(2), 137–143. https://doi.org/10.1097/naq.0000000000000518
Nelson, M. (2022). There is power in advocacy. The Nurse Practitioner, 47(2), 9–9. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.npr.0000806396.40884.00