ER Nurses’ Role in Implementing the ACA
Substantial transformations have occurred in the delivery of healthcare services in the United States due to the enactment and implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a component of the broader healthcare reform initiative. Due to this, it is incumbent upon all medical professionals to make a deliberate effort to meet the continually changing needs of patients and communities. Professionals with master’s degrees in registered nursing are instrumental in addressing the challenges and opportunities posed by these policies, as well as ensuring the effective implementation of regulations established by the Affordable Care Act.
Given my current occupation as an emergency room (ER) nurse and my aspirations for a long-term position as an ER director or manager, my involvement in implementing the ACA has been diverse. To commence the discourse, I would like to declare that I am an emergency room nurse, a profession that positions me at the vanguard of delivering effective patient care. As an individual engaged in my vocation, it is incumbent upon me to deliver timely and effective interventions, with particular emphasis on vulnerable populations who may have obtained healthcare services through the Affordable Care Act (Watkins & Neubrander, 2020). With the intention of contributing to the Affordable Care Act’s objective of enhancing healthcare outcomes for all individuals, it is my duty to ensure that patients receive care that is both safe and of the highest quality.
As I transition into a position that supports my progression to the rank of director or manager of the emergency department, my duties will expand to include strategic planning, judicious adherence to policy, and the effective allocation of resources. In my current role, I ensure that our emergency department’s operations adhere to the criteria set forth by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. These statutes contain provisions such as the following: the promotion of patient-centered care models, the delivery of emergency treatment regardless of the patient’s insurance status, and the implementation of quality improvement initiatives (Ulrich et al., 2019). Additionally, I am capable of overseeing interdisciplinary teams, advocating for evidence-based policies, and contributing to the development of organizational healthcare policy in my capacity as a nurse with a master’s degree. Furthermore, this is achieved while concurrently guaranteeing that our procedures align with the goals stipulated in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
The ACA Aspects Affecting Nursing
The adoption of quality improvement measures and the expansion of healthcare service accessibility are two fundamental aspects of the Affordable Care Act that significantly affect nursing and master ‘s-level nurses. These two components are fundamental to the Affordable Care Act. Moreover, each of these attributes is an absolute necessity. The strong emphasis on expanding insurance coverage under the ACA has led to a substantial surge in nationwide demand for healthcare services, including mental health services, preventive care, and chronic disease management (Cleveland et al., 2019). Master’s-degree-holding nurses play a crucial role in providing patients and communities with opportunities for enhanced clinical care, health advocacy, and further academic pursuits. This is done to satisfy the demand for these nurses.
The Affordable Care Act places a strong emphasis on quality improvement. As a result, healthcare companies have been pushed to place a higher emphasis on patient safety, care coordination, and outcomes assessment. According to Watkins and Neubrander’s 2020 research, the Affordable Care Act places a high priority on quality improvement. This is the foundation for this reasoning. To make a significant contribution to these activities, registered nurses with master’s degrees take on leadership roles in quality improvement projects, adopt evidence-based approaches, and participate in research and evaluation of outcomes (Ulrich et al., 2019). It is the responsibility of nurses who have completed their master’s degrees to have a direct impact on patient satisfaction, health outcomes, and the effectiveness of healthcare delivery. This aligns with the goals of the Affordable Care Act, which aim to increase overall satisfaction among healthcare recipients and the quality of healthcare they receive.
Regulating Agencies’ Role in Implementing Community Healthcare
The agencies are essential for state boards of nursing and regulatory organizations, such as the American Nurses Association (ANA), to play a significant role in establishing standards and rules within the healthcare sector. To ensure its activities align with the guiding principles outlined in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the ANA is committed to promoting professional development, raising the standards of nursing practice, and advocating for patients. In accordance with the mandates of the ACA, regulatory monitoring of nursing licenses, educational requirements, and areas of practice is delegated to the state boards of nursing (Watkins & Neubrander, 2020). This is done to ensure that nurses receive an education sufficient to meet the ever-changing requirements of the healthcare industry.
The oversight bodies in my municipality are responsible for engaging in collaborative efforts with healthcare institutions, politicians, and stakeholders to advocate for healthcare equity, develop evidence-based policies, and address workforce-specific concerns. As a result of their adherence to regulatory standards and active participation in ongoing education and training, nurses with master’s degrees contribute to enhancing the nursing profession’s competence and resilience. This workforce can meet the Affordable Care Act criteria while simultaneously improving the quality of medical care and ensuring patient safety.
The IOM Report’s Support of the ACA
The research paper titled “The Future of Nursing,” which was written by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), includes several insightful observations and recommendations that are in line with the goals of the Affordable Care Act. The significance of nursing leadership, interprofessional collaboration, and continuing education is emphasized throughout the essay. The implementation of this is being done with the dual objective of improving healthcare delivery and the outcomes it produces. Care that is centered on the patient, care coordination, and innovation in healthcare are all areas that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services prioritize, aligning with these objectives.
Furthermore, according to findings from IOM primary care research, the management of chronic illnesses and population health both require an increase in the responsibilities assigned to nurses. If the Affordable Care Act is to achieve its objectives, which are to enhance the health of the community, minimize the disparities that exist in healthcare, and encourage preventive care, every one of these components is essential. Healthcare institutions can improve their capacity to manage the ever-changing healthcare demands of diverse populations and to efficiently apply the regulations set by the Affordable Care Act by implementing the recommendations in the Institute of Medicine report.
Consequently, the contributions of nurses with master’s degrees are highly beneficial to the healthcare industry. This is because master’s degrees indicate a higher level of education and training than bachelor’s degrees. To maintain compliance with the ever-evolving standards of the ACA, they can enthusiastically embrace new healthcare trends, evidence-based methodologies, and innovative technologies. For instance, the Affordable Care Act has led to increased utilization of telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic (Todd et al., 2019). This has resulted in the widespread adoption of these services since their implementation. A significant contribution to the improvement and expansion of these online healthcare solutions can be made by advanced practice registered nurses with master’s degrees.
By sharing their expertise and experiences in areas such as education and leadership, registered nurses with a master’s degree can play a significant role in shaping the careers of future nurses. Because of this, it is guaranteed that personnel will possess the knowledge and abilities necessary to administer the intricate healthcare system mandated by the Affordable Care Act. In addition, students have the opportunity to assume various leadership roles within healthcare organizations. Because of this, they can influence policy decisions, encourage innovation, and finance programs that ultimately aim to improve quality.
Registered nurses must hold a master’s degree for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to be effectively implemented. The contributions they make to the development of healthcare policy, the promotion of patient-centered practices, the delivery of exceptional treatment, and the advancement of quality improvement initiatives are indispensable. Each of these steps is necessary to ensure the Affordable Care Act is successfully implemented (Todd et al., 2019). The ACA aims to improve health outcomes, extend access to quality healthcare, and reduce costs. Their efforts are essential to achieving these goals, which include expanding access to adequate medical treatment.
One of the primary objectives of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is to revitalize healthcare while expanding access to medical care, enhancing the quality of medical treatment, and expanding access to medical care more broadly. A nurse with a master’s degree has important competencies that are highly compatible with the fundamental skills described earlier. Individuals in the nursing profession who have earned a master’s degree are well-positioned to enhance healthcare delivery and cultivate a more equitable, healthier society. We can accomplish this objective by forming partnerships with healthcare institutions, regulatory authorities, and other interested parties.
References
Cleveland, K., Motter, T., & Smith, Y. (2019). Affordable care: Harnessing the power of nurses. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 24(2).
Todd, B. A., Brom, H., Blunt, E., Dillon, P., Doherty, C., Drayton-Brooks, S., Hung, I., Montgomery, K., Peoples, L., Powell, M., Vanacore, D., Whalen, D., & Aiken, L. (2019). Precepting nurse practitioner students in the graduate nurse education demonstration. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 31(11), 648–656.
Ulrich, B., Barden, C., Cassidy, L., & Varn-Davis, N. (2019). Critical care nurse work environments 2018: Findings and implications. Critical Care Nurse, 39(2), 67–84.
Watkins, S., & Neubrander, J. (2020). Registered nurse education in primary care: Barriers and resolutions. Nursing Forum, 55(3).