As a health policy nurse, it is your job to examine health issues and public policies with the goal of improving patient welfare. Your duties include researching health care laws, examining medical regulations, and developing strategies to improve the quality of care patients receive. You need at least a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), although many health policy nurses go on to earn their Doctorate of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD). Additional career qualifications include work experience as a registered nurse (RN), strong analytical and research skills, and intimate knowledge of health care systems. Positions are most often available at health service research firms.