Health Policy and Advocacy
This essential emphasizes the critical role of promoting health, improving healthcare systems, and advancing patient-centered values through policy and advocacy. As a nurse practitioner student, I’ve come to view advocacy as an extension of patient care, requiring not just clinical knowledge but also an understanding of policy development and strategic influence to create meaningful change. My passion for educating and empowering patients drives my commitment to this essential, as I believe being an exceptional Family Nurse Practitioner means not only addressing immediate clinical needs but also advocating for long-term improvements in healthcare systems to ensure all patients receive the care and respect they deserve.
Through my academic and clinical experiences, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of health policy and advocacy. For example, in my STI case study presentation, I explored the relationship between health policy and treatment for Chlamydia, which gave me valuable insight into how healthcare delivery is shaped by policy. My infographic on lymphatic filariasis further expanded my knowledge of how policy can improve access to care for underserved populations. These experiences have helped me become more confident in analyzing healthcare issues, but I know I still need to work on strengthening my advocacy skills on a broader scale. A standout experience for me was my community education project on handwashing with elementary school children, where I applied evidence-based practices and used a middle-range teaching theory to turn an important health lesson into an engaging, hands-on experience. This project taught me the value of effective communication and advocacy at the community level, and I am committed to driving change both locally and at the larger policy level.
Strength & Weaknesses
One of my strengths in this area is my ability to connect policy and patient care in a way that feels purposeful and actionable. I really enjoy educating and empowering others, and that passion was evident during my handwashing project, where I translated a health policy concept into something tangible for kids. I’ve grown more confident in understanding the legislative aspects of healthcare and in using my voice to advocate for systemic improvements. However, I’m still working on expanding my advocacy efforts on a larger scale. While I feel comfortable addressing health issues at the community level, I recognize there’s still room for growth when it comes to navigating larger healthcare access issues and influencing policy on a broader level. These experiences have helped me realize that real change often starts with small, local actions, and I’m focused on strengthening my communication and advocacy skills to make an even bigger impact in the future.