Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses and respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days by suggesting additional strategies your colleague could implement to bring about needed change in their community.use 3 reference each.

 1.    I am currently employed at a freestanding psychiatric hospital located on the south shore of Massachusetts.  We provide inpatient psychiatric services to adolescents, adults, and geriatric patients who suffer from mental illness.  Since the Covid-19 pandemic, we have seen an increase in the community’s need for mental health services.  A recent study conducted by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts found that the need for services has increased exponentially due to the effects of the pandemic.  Currently,  “one in three Massachusetts residents over the age of 19 reported needing behavioral health care for themselves or a close relative; however, 26% percent said they were not able to get it” (Becker, 2022).  As an organization, we need to find a way to increase access to mental health services in our community.

How the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Prepared Nurse Can Increase Access to Mental Health Services

 As a DNP-prepared nurse, it is my goal to serve as an agent of positive change at the local level to the patients who are under my organization’s care as well as the community at large.  In order to reduce accessibility issues as a DNP-prepared nurse, it will be critical for me to consider the American Association of Colleges of Nursing essential number 8 and “conceptualize new care delivery models that are based in contemporary nursing science and that are feasible within current organizational, political, cultural, and economic perspectives” (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2006).  One thought I have for my organization would be to integrate outpatient services such as partial hospitalization programs so that we can increase accessibility to mental health services in the community.  One significant challenge, both nationally and for my organization, is the shortage of nursing staff.  In order to increase the services we provide, it will be imperative for my organization to build partnerships with local agencies.  Wegner et al. (2000) determined that “groups of people who share a concern, a set of problems, or a passion about a topic, and who deepen their knowledge and expertise in the area by interacting on an ongoing basis” will have more success.  In order to recruit nurses to my organization, I aim to partner with local universities and colleges to provide a site for their psychiatric clinical rotations.  If student nurses have a positive clinical experience at my organization, they will be more likely to consider employment with us in the future which will, in turn, allow us to expand the services we provide and increase accessibility to mental health care.

References

American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2006). The essentials of doctoral education for advanced nursing practice. https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/Publications/DNPEssentials.pdf

Becker, D. (2022). The pandemic has led to a surge in mental health need in Mass., survey finds. https://www.wbur.org/news/2022/02/08/massachusetts-pandemic-mental-healthLinks to an external site.

Wenger, E., McDermott, R., & Snyder, W. M. (2000). A guide to managing knowledge: Cultivating communities of practice. Harvard Business School.

2.There is a very large homeless population within my community, and with that unfortunately comes high rate of substance use disorders. The most recent census of this six hundred plus square mile county was approximately 170,000 individuals, ten percent of whom were living below the poverty level (United States Department of Commerce, 2023). Despite the known concerns for homelessness in Monroe County, there remains to be only three small shelters that are seasonally available to those in need, open between the hours of 7:00pm and 5:00am EST. As a very rural area, the lack of available resources leaves individuals living in homeless communities in wooded areas. Multiple individuals have been found to be passed away due to exposure in the winter months. While community members are also aware of the concern for substance use disorders, there have been very direct and disheartening efforts preventing the opening of treatment centers in the area. Signs have been posted in front yards with slogans such as ‘no drug addicts in our back yard.’

            Addressing socioeconomic determinants of health and the wellness of this community is one of many roles of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2006). These two community health issues are very much related. The ongoing gap in access to substance use disorder treatment perpetuates the cycle of substance-related crime, associated health concerns treated in the local emergency department, and inability to treat the often-underlying mental health concerns leading to self-medication (Mitchell et al., 2023). As a social change agent, the DNP can not only research evidence-based interventions to provide community-based care to individuals in need but also educate community members on why this is important, and how their efforts to prevent this from happening harms not only those in need but the populace as a whole (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2006).

            The DNP acts as an expert support when advocating for health policy in local, state, or federal government. Meeting with members of local government to provide evidence-based testimony regarding the detrimental impact the blocking of substance use treatment facilities has on the community is one step in creating increased access to care. Individuals in need of substance use treatment often experience shame and ambivalence to seek the support they so greatly need; it is essential to educate lawmakers about how the additional stigma placed upon individuals by the formal supports who should be enabling their ability to access treatment severely impedes community wellness (Stewart et al., 2023).

            Engaging directly with the homeless shelters currently available to review current barriers to availability is the first step to increasing accessibility. Two of the three shelters are run by volunteer organizations, and the third is a locally funded organization that is a part of the community health department. As a DNP, gathering data and evidence to support the implementation of an intervention is essential to buy in from any stakeholder and can be achieved by evaluating the number of individuals who seek shelter at these resources, and those who are able to stay the night (McEwen & Wills, 2019). Presenting this data to local officials to along with evidence-based data regarding the benefits of this community initiative, such as reduction in deaths associated with exposure and the current use of law enforcement to relocate homeless individuals from areas deemed inappropriate for their inhabitation, can support approval for shelter expansions.

References

American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2006). The essentials of doctoral education for advanced nursing practice. https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/Publications/DNPEssentials.pdf

McEwen, M., & Wills, E. M. (2019). Theoretical basis for nursing (5th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.  

Mitchell, E., Waring, T., Ahern, E., O’Donovan, D., O’Reilly, D., & Bradley, D. T. (2023). Predictors and consequences of homelessness in whole-population observational studies that used administrative data: a systematic review. BMC Public Health, 23(1), 1610. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-16503-z

Stewart, R. E., Cardamone, N. C., Schachter, A., Becker, C., McKay, J. R., & Becker-Haimes, E. M. (2023). A systematic review of brief, freely accessible, and valid self-report measures for substance use disorders and treatment. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 243, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109729

United States Department of Commerce. (2023). QuickFacts: Monroe County Pennsylvania. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/monroecountypennsylvania/PST045222

Develop a 4-6 page plan that will allow your intervention to be implemented in your target population and setting. Target population VETERAN. 

TOPIC PREVENTING HOMELESSNESS FOR VETERAN POPULATION

Introduction

Note: Each assessment in this course builds on the work you completed in the previous assessment. Therefore, you must complete the assessments in this course in the order in which they are presented.

Even the best intervention plan will not be effective without a sound and reasonable approach to implementing it. The implementation of the same intervention plan can vary drastically between different care settings, based on the culture of the care setting, the resources available, and the stakeholders involved in the project, as well as the specific policies already in place. A successful implementation plan blends contemporary and emerging best practices and technology with an understanding of the on-the-ground realities of a specific care setting and the target population for an intervention. By synthesizing these various considerations it is possible to increase the likely success of the implementation and continued sustainability of an intervention plan.

Preparations

• Read Guiding Questions: Implementation Plan Design [DOC]. This document is designed to give you questions to consider and additional guidance to help you successfully complete this assessment.
• As you prepare to complete this assessment, you may want to think about other related issues to deepen your understanding or broaden your viewpoint. You are encouraged to consider the questions below and discuss them with a fellow learner, a work associate, an interested friend, or a member of your professional community. Note that these questions are for your own development and exploration and do not need to be completed or submitted as part of your assessment.
  • What are the needs of your stakeholders that are relevant to your target population and need?
  • What applicable health care policy and regulations are relevant to your target population and need?
  • How will these considerations impact the development of your Intervention Plan Design assessment?
  • How can you work these considerations into the development of your Implementation Plan Design assessment?

Instructions

Note: The assessments in this course are sequenced in such a way as to help you build specific skills that you will use throughout your program. Complete the assessments in the order in which they are presented.

Your implementation plan design will be the third section of your final project submission. The goal for this is to design a plan that will allow your intervention to be theoretically implemented in your target population and setting. You should be able to preserve the quality improvement outcomes that you designed for your target population and setting while also ensuring that the intervention does not put undue stress on the health care setting’s resources or violate any policies or regulations. Provide enough detail so that the faculty member assessing your implementation plan design will be able to provide substantive feedback that you will be able to incorporate into the final draft of your project.

At minimum, be sure to address the bullet points below, as they correspond to the grading criteria. You may also want to read the scoring guide and the Guiding Questions: Implementation Plan Design document (linked above) to better understand how each criterion will be assessed. In addition to the bullet points below, provide a brief introduction that refreshes the reader’s memory about your problem statement, as well as the setting and context for which this intervention plan was designed before launching into your implementation plan.

Reminder: these instructions are an outline. Your heading for this this section should be Management and Leadership and not Part 1: Management and Leadership.

Part 1: Management and Leadership

• Propose strategies for leading, managing, and implementing professional nursing practices to ensure interprofessional collaboration during the implementation of an intervention plan.
• Analyze the implications of change associated with proposed strategies for improving the quality and experience of care while controlling costs.

Part 2: Delivery and Technology

• Propose appropriate delivery methods to implement an intervention which will improve the quality of the project.
• Evaluate the current and emerging technological options related to the proposed delivery methods.

Part 3: Stakeholders, Policy, and Regulations

• Analyze stakeholders, regulatory implications, and potential support that could impact the implementation of an intervention plan.
• Propose existing or new policy considerations that would support the implementation of an intervention plan.

Part 4: Timeline

• Propose a timeline to implement an intervention plan with reference to specific factors that influence the timing of implementation.

Address Generally Throughout

• Integrate resources from diverse sources that illustrate support for all aspects of an implementation plan for a planned intervention.
• Communicate implementation plan in a way that clearly illustrate the importance of interprofessional collaboration to create buy-in from the audience.

ASSESSING A HEALTHCARE PROGRAM/POLICY EVALUATION

Program/policy evaluation is a valuable tool that can help strengthen the quality of programs/policies and improve outcomes for the populations they serve. Program/policy evaluation answers basic questions about program/policy effectiveness. It involves collecting and analyzing information about program/policy activities, characteristics, and outcomes. This information can be used to ultimately improve program services or policy initiatives.

Nurses can play a very important role assessing program/policy evaluation for the same reasons that they can be so important to program/policy design. Nurses bring expertise and patient advocacy that can add significant insight and impact. In this Assignment, you will practice applying this expertise and insight by selecting an existing healthcare program or policy evaluation and reflecting on the criteria used to measure the effectiveness of the program/policy.

RESOURCES

Required Readings

· Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). 
Health policy and politics: A nurse's guide (6th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

· Chapter 7, “Health Policy and Social Program Evaluation” (pp. 116–124 only)

· Glasgow, R. E., Lichtenstein, E., & Marcus, A. C. (2003). 

Why don’t we see more translation of health promotion research to practice? Rethinking the efficacy-to-effectiveness transitionLinks to an external site.
. 
American Journal of Public Health, 93(8), 1261–1267.

· Shiramizu, B., Shambaugh, V., Petrovich, H., Seto, T. B., Ho, T., Mokuau, N., & Hedges, J. R. (2016). 

Leading by success: Impact of a clinical and translational research infrastructure program to address health inequitiesLinks to an external site.
. 
Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 4(5), 983–991.

· Williams, J. K., & Anderson, C. M. (2018). 

Omics research ethics considerationsLinks to an external site.
. 
Nursing Outlook, 66(4), 386–393.

·
Document: 

Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation Template (Word document)

Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources. 

WEEKLY RESOURCES

To Prepare:

· Review the Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation Analysis Template provided in the Resources.

· Select an existing healthcare program or policy evaluation or choose one of interest to you.

· Review community, state, or federal policy evaluation and reflect on the criteria used to measure the effectiveness of the program or policy described.

The Assignment: (2–3 pages)

Based on the program or policy evaluation you selected, complete the Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation Analysis Template. Be sure to address the following:

· Describe the healthcare program or policy outcomes.

· How was the success of the program or policy measured?

· How many people were reached by the program or policy selected?

· How much of an impact was realized with the program or policy selected?

· At what point in program implementation was the program or policy evaluation conducted?

· What data was used to conduct the program or policy evaluation?

· What specific information on unintended consequences was identified?

· What stakeholders were identified in the evaluation of the program or policy? Who would benefit most from the results and reporting of the program or policy evaluation? Be specific and provide examples.

· Did the program or policy meet the original intent and objectives? Why or why not?

· Would you recommend implementing this program or policy in your place of work? Why or why not?

· Identify at least two ways that you, as a nurse advocate, could become involved in evaluating a program or policy after 1 year of implementation.

BY DAY 7 OF WEEK 10

Submit your completed healthcare program/policy evaluation analysis.

SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Before submitting your final assignment, you can check your draft for authenticity. To check your draft, access the 
Turnitin Drafts from the 
Start Here area. 

1. To submit your completed assignment, save your Assignment as 
WK10Assgn+LastName+Firstinitial

2. Then, click on 
Start Assignment near the top of the page.

3. Next, click on 
Upload File and select 
Submit Assignment for review.

Rubric

NURS_6050_Module05_Week10_Assignment_Rubric

NURS_6050_Module05_Week10_Assignment_Rubric
Criteria	Ratings	Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeProgram/Policy EvaluationBased on the program or policy evaluation you seelcted, complete the Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation Analysis Template. Be sure to address the following:·   Describe the healthcare program or policy outcomes.·   How was the success of the program or policy measured?·   How many people were reached by the program or policy selected? How much of an impact was realized with the program or policy selected?·   At what point in time in program implementation was the program or policy evaluation conducted?	35 to >31.0 pts Excellent Using sufficient evidence, response clearly and accurately describes the healthcare program or policy outcomes. …Response accurately and clearly explains how the success of the program or policy was measured. …Response accurately and clearly describes how many people were reached by the program or policy and accurately describes the impact of the program or policy. …Response accurately and clearly indicates the point at which time the program or policy evaluation was conducted. 31 to >27.0 pts Good Using sufficient evidence, response accurately describes the healthcare program or policy outcomes. …Response accurately explains how the success of the program or policy was measured. …Response accurately describes how many people were reached by the program or policy and accurately describes the impact of the program or policy. …Response accurately indicates the point at which time the program or policy evaluation was conducted. 27 to >24.0 pts Fair Description of the healthcare program or policy outcomes is inaccurate or incomplete. …Explanation of how the success of the program or policy was measured is inaccurate or incomplete. …Description of how many people were reached by the program or policy and the impact is vague or inaccurate. …Response vaguely describes the point at which the program or policy evaluation was conducted. 24 to >0 pts Poor Description of the healthcare program or policy outcomes is inaccurate and incomplete or is missing. …Explanation of how the success of the program or policy was measured is inaccurate and incomplete or is missing. …Description of how many people were reached by the program or policy and the associated impacts is vague and inaccurate or is missing. …Response of the point at which time the program or policy was conducted is missing.	35 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeReporting of Program/Policy Evaluations·   What data was used to conduct the program or policy evaluation?·   What specific information on unintended consequences was identified?·   What stakeholders were identified in the evaluation of the program or policy? Who would benefit the most from the results and reporting of the program or policy evaluation? Be specific and provide examples.·   Did the program or policy meet the original intent and objectives? Why or why not?·   Would you recommend implementing this program or policy in your place of work? Why or why not?·   Identify at least two ways that you, as a nurse advocate, could become involved in evaluating a program or policy after 1 year of implementation.	50 to >44.0 pts Excellent Response clearly and thoroughly explains in detail: -specific information on outcomes and unintended consequences identified through the program or policy evaluation. -the stakeholders involved in the program or policy evaluation. -who would benefit most from the results and reporting of the program or policy evaluation. -whether the program met the original intent and outcomes, including an accurate and detailed explanation of the reasons supporting why or why not. -whether the program should be implemented, including an accurate and detailed explanation of the reasons supporting why or why not. -at least two ways that the nurse advocate could become involved in the evaluation of the program or policy after 1 year of implementation. 44 to >39.0 pts Good Using sufficient evidence, response accurately identifies the data used to conduct the program or policy evaluation. Response explains in detail specific information on outcomes and unintended consequences identified through the program or policy evaluation. Response explains in detail the stakeholders involved in the program or policy evaluation. Response explains who would benefit most from the results and reporting of the program or policy evaluation. Response includes an accurate explanation of whether the program met the original intent and outcomes, including an accurate explanation of the reasons supporting why or why not. Response includes an accurate explanation of whether the program should be implemented, including an accurate explanation of the reasons supporting why or why not. Response includes an accurate explanation of two ways that the nurse advocate could become involved in the evaluation of the program or policy after 1 year of implementation. 39 to >34.0 pts Fair Response vaguely or inaccurately identifies the data used to conduct the program or policy evaluation. Explanation of specific information on outcomes and unintended consequences identified through the program or policy evaluation is vague or incomplete. Explanation of the stakeholders involved in the program or policy evaluation is vague or inaccurate. Explanation of who would benefit most from the results and reporting of the program or policy evaluation is vague or inaccurate. Explanation of whether the program/policy met the original intent and outcomes, and the reasons why or why not is incomplete or inaccurate. Explanation of whether the program or policy should be implemented, and the reasons why or why not, is incomplete or inaccurate. Explanation of ways that the nurse advocate could become involved in the evaluation or policy after 1 year of implementation is incomplete or inaccurate. 34 to >0 pts Poor Identification of the data used to conduct the program or policy evaluation is vague and inaccurate or is missing. Response includes vague and incomplete or is missing explanation of: -specific information on outcomes and unintended consequences identified through the program or policy evaluation. -the stakeholders involved in the program or policy evaluation. -who would benefit most from the results and reporting of the program or policy evaluation. -whether the program or policy met the original intent and outcomes, and the reasons why or why not. -whether the program or policy should be implemented, and the reasons why or why not. -ways that the nurse advocate could become involved in the evaluation or policy after 1 year of implementation.	50 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWritten Expression and Formatting – Paragraph Development and Organization: Paragraphs make clear points that support well developed ideas, low logically, and demonstrate continuity of ideas.Sentences are carefully focused– neither long and rambling nor short and lacking substance. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement and introduction is provided which delineates all required criteria.	5 to >4.0 pts Excellent Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity. …A clear and comprehensive purpose statement, introduction, and conclusion is provided which delineates all required criteria. 4 to >3.0 pts Good Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 80% of the time. …Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment is stated, yet is brief and not descriptive. 3 to >2.0 pts Fair Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 60%- 79% of the time. …Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment is vague or off topic. 2 to >0 pts Poor Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity < 60% of the time. ...Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment is incomplete or missing.	5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWritten Expression and Formatting – English Writing Standards: Correct grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation	5 to >4.0 pts Excellent Uses correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation with no errors. 4 to >3.0 pts Good Contains a few (1-2) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. 3 to >2.0 pts Fair Contains several (3-4) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. 2 to >0 pts Poor Contains many (≥5) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors that interfere with the reader’s understanding.	5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWritten Expression and Formatting:The paper follows correct APA format for title page, font, spacing, parenthetical/in-text citations, and reference list).	5 to >4.0 pts Excellent Uses correct APA format with no errors. 4 to >3.0 pts Good Contains a few (1-2) APA format errors. 3 to >2.0 pts Fair Contains several (3-4) APA format errors. 2 to >0 pts Poor Contains many (≥5) APA format errors.	5 pts