This document discusses two classmates' threads on healthcare policy and political advocacy. The first classmate discusses their experience working in NICU and PICU and interest in healthcare policy cases. They note some discomfort advocating outside their specialty areas. Their goals are to get involved in decision making at their hospital and familiarize themselves with their unit's policies. The second classmate discusses their experience in the military healthcare system creating policies. They feel comfortable advocating in the military system but not civilian. They believe nurses should advocate for patients' rights per the Code of Ethics. Their goals are to educate themselves on their current position and communicate with leaders to recommend policy changes. The document provides references and instructions to reply considering similarities and differences

1. 1
Instructions: Reply to 2 of your peers below. Must be 250
words or more with 1. references
Review your classmates’ threads, and respond through
considering:
· Do you have a similar or different healthcare policy KSA as
your classmate?
· Apply the Code of Ethics for Nurses. Do you agree/disagree?
Explain. Add additional insight to the application of the Code to
healthcare policy.
· Review SMART goals. Add additional creative action steps to
achieve goal. Add additional resources for your classmate to
consider.
Classmates’ Tread 1.
Part I: I'm pretty comfortable and actually excited to be in this
course this semester. I have always been interested in possibly
perusing a law degree, so focusing on healthcare policy and
legislatures really sparks my interest. I've been a NICU nurse
for 5 years before going active duty and doing PICU. I think
with me being in two highly specialized areas I would be
somewhat uncomfortable advocating in the political arena,
unless I was advocating for PICU/NICU patients exclusively, as
I've lost many of my "adult" patient skills. Although, I have
limited knowledge on the processes of legislation and
regulations, I do try to keep up with high profile cases, such as
the case of the nurse who unformtably killed a patient by gi ving
them vecoronium instead of versed. I've always been interested
in the court proceedings on these kind of cases. I've never
actually reached out to any personal federal or state
representatives. In my undergraduate studies I don't believe we
touched much on why it is important for nurses to be
knowledgeable about healthcare policies and legislations. It

2. would undoubtedly benefit the healthcare Professionals as a
whole if the importance of learning the rights of patients AND
healthcare professionals is taught early in our career. However,
I will say that sometimes working in a military hospital can be
tricky, because it seems that we have our own set of policies
that are unique only to military/government hospitals.
Part II:
Nurses are the number one advocates for our patients. We as
nurses must always place patient safety at the frontline.
Following patient safety, nurses can also help improve the
quality of care, so nurses should be included in developing,
implementing, and sustaining healthcare policies (Collins
2017). Being actively involved in implementing healthcare
policies and upholding these policies in the clinical setting is
the best way that nurses can advocate for our patients (Collins,
2017). We also need to understand all the levels of power and
know which entity controls the resources given to us. Nurse
managers need to be knowledgeable on hospital policies and
legislatures because they are often put in positions to Make
informed decisions. Nurses as a whole have an ethical and
moral responsibility to engage in policy and political decision-
making for the betterment of patients.
Part III:
Goals to build knowledge/comfort with political advocacy:
1) I will involve myself in a local group at my hospital that
involves decision making and learn about how the process of
enacting healthcare policies works at my specific facility
Action steps:
1) I will get in contact with the chair of decision
making at my hospital and find out how I can be able to sit in
on a meeting regarding updating healthcare policies by the end
of next week, and will hopefully be able to sit in for a decision
making board in early October.
2) I will be sure to gain knowledge on the process of
how my hospital implements healthcare policies and the
different levels of leadership that these policies have to go

3. through in order to finally be enacted.
2) I will familiarize myself on the healthcare policies of my
specific unit (PICU)
Action Steps:
1) I will become familiar with the standard operating
procedures of my unit by the time I am off orientation (early
October)
2) I will be able to recognize and memorize at least 75%
of the healthcare policies of my unit by the end of the fiscal
year (late October)
In actively involving myself and learning about the process and
resources afforded too nurses and getting actively involved in
decision making and hospital policing implementation it will
help to improve patient safety and quality of care. I Am a firm
believe that at least one person from every department should
be involved in the healthcare policies that are enacted in their
facility, because every policy and legislature can affect every
patient.
References:
Collins, R. F., (2017). American Nurses' involvement in health
policy: Perceived benefits and barriers. International Nursing
Review, 64(1), 13–21. https://doi.org/10.1111/inr.12249
Classmates’ Tread 2.
For the last seven years I have served in the United States Army
as a Medical Service Corps officer tasked with planning,
coordinating, and supervising the delivery of routine and
emergent healthcare in both garrison and deployed
environments. As a leader within the medical community, I have
had the opportunity to assist in creating policies and procedures
for the delivery of routine medical care in order to remain a
medical ready force and emergent care for traumatic battlefield
injuries. Policy making is derived from a need to change,
enhance, or make efficient current systems and processes
through a series of decisions and actions that lead to a more

4. efficient and effective outcome (Nickitas, Middaugh & Feeg,
2020). Within the military healthcare system, I feel completely
comfortable advocating for policy changes or implementation in
the political arena; however, I do not have any experience in the
civilian sector so I would remain neutral until I developed an
understanding of the operational environment. As healthcare
professionals, advocating for patients, optimizing access to
care, and increasing effective care should remain a priority
when planning the implementation of new policies.
As outlined in the Code of Ethics for Nurses, it is
imperative that nurses and healthcare professionals always
advocate and protect the rights of patients. In the complex and
dynamic healthcare environment, remaining ethically sound is
more important than ever, “Nurses and healthcare professionals,
through individual and collective efforts, establishes, maintains,
and improves the ethical environment of the work setting and
conditions of employment that are conducive to safe, quality
health care” (Morin, 2015). The relationship between patients
and nurses is unique in that a nurse is directly involved in the
accountability, treatment, and safety of patients on a more
frequent basis than other healthcare professionals. Therefore,
nurses tend to understand the needs of the patient and can better
advocate for his or her needs. Through collaboration with other
healthcare professionals and understanding the current patient
population needs and public health trends, nurses are better
suited to advocate for communities and implement positive
change through policy.
The first goal to improve my political advocacy is to
educate myself on my current position within the army
healthcare system and understand the patient population that is
requiring services. The education aspect of this goal should
encompass the first 30-60 days of a new assignment, allowing
me the necessary time to adjust to the current standard
operating procedures and become familiar with all policies and
systems in place. By creating an understanding of the current
environment and operations, I can better understand any lapses

5. or shortcomings in which my efforts for policy change should
be directed towards. In addition, through an understanding of
the patient population, I would have the ability specifically
target policies to ensure patients receive the most efficient and
effective care suited for them. Another goal to improve my
political advocacy would be to have an open dialogue with
senior leadership, department chiefs, and lane leads. By
establishing communication among key leaders, I have the
ability to grow more confident when recommending policy
change and have the ability to demonstrate competence within
the first six months of holding a new position. Political
advocacy is a necessary skill for healthcare professionals in
order to positively effect patient care and the surrounding
population; “the embrace of human rights advocacy is important
in a sustained effort to provide humanitarian medical care to
individuals who fall outside of the political and moral
community in the U.S” (Tiedje & Plevak, 2014).
References
Morin, K. H. (2015). The Code of Ethics for Nurses-More
Relevant Than Ever. Journal of Nursing Education, 54(12), 667-
668. http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.3928/01484834-
20151110-01
Nickitas, D., Middaugh, D., & Feeg, V. (2020). Policy and
Politics for Nurses and Other Health Professionals: Advocacy
and Action. Jones & Bartlett. Burlington, MA.
Tiedje, K., & Plevak, D. (2014). Medical humanitarianism in
the United States: Alternative healthcare, spirituality and
political advocacy in the case of Our Lady Guadalupe Free
Clinic. Social Science & Medicine, 120, 360-367.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socsimed.2014.05.018
Catherine RESPONSE1

6. Evaluating Purpose Statements Initial Post
COLLAPSE
Top of Form
Evaluation of Purpose Statement
I utilized the article about the Case Study on Gifted Students
Meeting the Needs of Gifted and Talented Students: Case Study
of a Virtual Learning Lab in a Rural Middle School (Swan et al
2015). I found evaluating the problem statement easier this time
around. Partially, due to the check list and partially due to
understanding the work of the author. I felt as if the purpose
statement checklist (Laureate Education 2016) was helpful in
creating a clear path of understanding. The author wanted to
know the value of a VLL (Virtual Learning Lab) to provide
individualization to students that were gifted. I immediately
"felt" that statement as an educator as something valuable. I saw
that as a problem that needed to be addressed. I saw a gap. I
saw the rationale for the problem: meeting the needs of the
students is difficult for many reasons (Swan et al 2015).
Analyze Alignment of theory, purpose and problem
The authors did a good job of stating the why behind their work
and doing in depth literature reviews to support their work. I
appreciated the highlight of the theory around blended learning.
This supported so much of the work they were doing. I believe
that having a clearly written problem statement might help me
align these more clearly. I understood the purpose, the theory
and the outcomes but I wondered if the problem statement
would have been the gap. The gap being how to meet the needs
of gifted students in a rural environment. Although, not having
someone to discuss this in real time I knew I would have to look
to my peers in this discussion to be able to make sense of this
more clearly.
Research and Social Change
This is the part that I really appreciate. In this weeks resources,
the Walden doctors stated how important it was to them to have
research that impacted practitioners. That was the reason for
them doing this work to produce data that impacted (Laureate

7. Education 2009). This video, by far, was the most impactful
resource to date. It made me remember why I am doing this; to
make a change.
Laureate Education (Producer). (2009a). Doctoral research:
Social change [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Swan, B., Coulombe-Quach, X-L, Huang, A., Godek, J., Becker,
D., & Zhou, Y. (2015). Meeting the needs of gifted and talented
students: Case study of a virtual learning lab in a rural middle
school. Journal of Advanced Academics, 26(4), 294–319.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1932202X15603366
Bottom of Form
RESPONSE2
Laila Khan
Week 4, Discussion
COLLAPSE
Top of Form
Program: Education

8. Article: Meeting the needs of gifted and talented students: case
study of a virtual learning lab in a rural middle school
Author(s): Bonnie Swan, Xuan-Lise Coulombe-Quach, Angela
Huang, Jaime Godek, Deborah Becker, and Yan Zhou
Publication: Sage publication
Date: November 1, 2015
Evaluate the purpose statement using the Purpose Statement
Checklist as a guide
According to Burkholder et al. (2020), study design, theoretical
context, intent, variables or phenomenon, participants, and site
are the six elements of a purpose statement that needs to be
included when writing a purpose statement. Additionally, the
purpose statement should begin with a clear declarative
sentence for the reader to decipher the purpose of the study
(Burkholder et al., 2020). Swan et al. (2015) does begin with a
declarative sentence, but not all the elements are included.
Some of the components of the purpose statement were
missing. Also, the authors included the purpose statement twice
that contradicted their actual study.
According to Ravitch and Riggan (2017), as stated in
Burkholder et al. (2020), there are three sources for a
conceptual framework, i.e., experience, literature, and theory.
Swan et al. (2015) conducted their research through a case study
aligned with the conceptual framework. Theoretical framework
and conceptual framework seemed intertwined in their research
study. While all the components of the conceptual framework
were present, the theoretical framework showed how the study
was explored. However, the research approach was difficult to
locate. In addition, the article needed to be read multiple times
to decipher the method used by the authors.

9. Based on the information provided in the article, it is directed
towards a qualitative approach. The authors collected the data
in interviews, observations, focus groups, and reviewing
relevant documents. This form of collecting data falls under
qualitative research study. However, a mention of the
triangulation method to establish the validity was also noted. It
is a little confusing about the triangulation method of collecting
the data and the qualitative approach. In both Qualitative and
triangulation methods, data is collected through interviews,
observations, and evaluating relevant documents. This
information was a little confusing to analyze.
Overall, the purpose statement included the participants
and research site. The participants were middle school gifted
students, and that the study to be conducted was in the rural
region of the Southeastern part of the United States. The study
was undertaken to understand participants' perspectives and
describe how virtual learning lab (VLL), especially online
instruction in brick-and-mortar public schools, can provide
accelerated coursework to exceptional middle school students
who are gifted.
Analyze alignment among the theory, problem, and purpose
The problem statement using declarative sentences is not listed.
However, the authors supported through a literature review that
the problem exists and further need for the research study. The
literature review introduced the concept of blended learning and
that it is prevalent in many schools. The demand for blended
learning is rising, but not much research is conducted to prove
its effectiveness in meeting gifted and talented students' unique
needs. Based on Rogers's (2007), as stated in Swan et al.,
(2015) synthesis of educational practices about educating the
gifted population discusses five lessons to consider for how
services should be implemented. First, Rogers's findings
encouraged the concept of blended learning for the gifted
population. Two conditions need to be met for this study to
occur. First is that the student must be in a supervised brick-

10. and-mortar location away from home at least part of the time,
and second, the supervised person is an adult who is physically
present. Another reason is that parents and stakeholders were
unhappy with the current model of instruction for gifted
students and that they were ready to try blended learning.
The sources used in the article are cited, and the
variable is defined indirectly. Florida Virtual School was
chosen for the Virtual learning lab, which allows public school
students to learn in a blended-learning environment. The
authors presented their findings in narration as data was
collected through interviews and classroom observations. In
this case study, they hired a gifted teacher to be physically
present who provided support to the students. The students
chose the course based on their interests. The students rotated
during the class periods where they attended one class period
for the online course. Thus, the students worked at their own
pace and were challenged based on their background. The
study's findings listed several advantages in implementing
blended learning for gifted students in this manner.
Explain your position on the relationship between research and
social change
The study conducted was built on the previously
published findings. The problem and the purpose were
original. It was grounded through literature, and it added value
in the given profession. After reading the article several times,
it proved that this type of blended learning would be beneficial
when implemented with integrity.
References:
Babbie, E. (2017). Basics of social research (7th ed.). Boston,
MA: Cengage Learning.
Burkholder, G. J., Cox, K. A., Crawford, L. M., & Hitchcock, J.

11. H. (Eds.). (2020). Research designs and methods: An applied
guide for the scholar-practitioner. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Laureate Education (Producer). (2016b). Literature
review [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author
Swan, B., Xuan-Lise Coulombe-Quach, Angela Huang, Godek,
J., Becker, D., & Yan Zhou. (2015, November 1). Meeting the
needs of gifted and talented students: case study of a virtual
learning lab in a rural middle school. Journal of Advanced
Academics, 26(4), 294.
Bottom of Form