NURS-6050N-53: Policy & Advocacy for Population Health

NURS-6050N-53: Policy & Advocacy for Population Health – Empowering Nurses to Lead Change

Transforming healthcare through informed policy and effective advocacy

🏥 What Is NURS-6050N-53 All About?

NURS-6050N-53: Policy and Advocacy for Population Health is a core course in Walden University’s MSN program that empowers nurses to move beyond the bedside and into the realm of policy leadership and population-level change.

In this course, students learn how to:

Understand the structure of the U.S. healthcare system
Analyze how policies are formed and implemented
Advocate for equity and access to care
Address the social determinants of health (SDOH) and health disparities
Engage in nurse-led policy change and health advocacy

Whether you’re a future nurse practitioner or public health leader, this course strengthens your role as a changemaker in today’s healthcare landscape.

🎯 Course Goals and Learning Objectives

Understand Policy Structures and Processes
Learn how federal, state, and local policies are created—and how to influence them as a nurse leader.
Analyze Health Policy Impact on Populations
Explore how legislation affects communities, access to care, insurance coverage, and health equity.
Apply Advocacy Strategies
Use effective communication techniques to engage stakeholders, elected officials, and healthcare organizations.
Promote Ethical and Evidence-Based Change
Assess how research and ethics drive responsible policy development.

📘 Key Topics Covered in NURS-6050N-53

The Affordable Care Act and Medicaid Expansion
The role of nursing organizations in health reform
Health equity and underserved populations
Political action and lobbying
Health policy analysis and writing policy briefs
Global health issues and international policy perspectives

📝 Assignments You’ll Encounter

Policy Analysis Paper
Examine a current piece of legislation and evaluate its potential health impacts.
Advocacy Letter or Testimony Draft
Compose a compelling letter to a policymaker advocating for or against a specific health policy.
Discussion Forums
Weekly discussions on topics such as public health crises, insurance reforms, or environmental health policy.
Final Project: Policy and Population Health Strategy
Design a nurse-led initiative addressing a real-world health disparity through policy action.

🧠 Why This Course Matters to Your Nursing Career

Nurses are the largest segment of the healthcare workforce—and they are increasingly called upon to influence policy, advocate for patients, and lead systems-level change. This course gives you the tools to speak the language of legislators, back your advocacy with evidence, and create lasting improvements for entire communities.

💡 Tips for Success in NURS-6050N-53

✅ Stay Updated on Current Events: Follow healthcare news, legislation, and policy updates.
✅ Use the Walden Library: Access journals, reports, and policy databases to support your assignments.
✅ Engage with Professional Organizations: Join the ANA, AANP, or specialty groups to learn how nurses advocate in real life.
✅ Practice Policy Writing: Advocacy writing is persuasive and fact-based—practice being both passionate and precise.
✅ Be Collaborative: Your peers bring unique perspectives—learn from group discussions and feedback.

🗣️ Final Thought

NURS-6050N-53 helps transform passionate, patient-centered nurses into policy-literate leaders who can influence change far beyond individual care. If you’ve ever asked “Why does the system work this way—and how can I fix it?”—this course is your answer.