Connect. Collaborate. Catalyze. Health Policy, Political Presence, and Nursing…Essential Skills to Positively Impact Healthcare

The American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses Provision 9 calls for nurses individually, and through professional associations, to be actively involved as advocates for health care policy and social reform. In this context, advocacy refers to leading professional nurses in practice inclusive of political involvement. Yet, few nurse leaders look to political presence and action as a method of advocacy. Without nursing involvement, legislation enacted will continue to challenge nursing practice. Now, more than ever, nurse’s political voice needs to be heard. Legislation, inclusive of health care reform, scope of practice, and patient care issues that directly impact nursing care are enacted or discussed on a daily basis. Nurses are in a pivotal position to advocate for health policy by addressing critical issues that jeopardize our current health care system and professional practice.

Limited research studies have suggested that health policy education, mentoring, and practical experience and leadership are essential components to improve professional nursing’s participation in the political and health policy realm. Recognition and taking action on issues using critical expertise, political knowledge, and experience within the health policy domain are necessary to positively impact legislation improving our nation’s health care and advancement of nursing practice.

A comparison phenomenological study was completed between professional staff nurses who have had an undergraduate course on health policy and nurses in a formal leadership position. Research identified five overarching themes: 1). Education as a Foundation to Political Advocacy, 2). Health Policy Involvement, 3). Perceived Barriers to Political Involvement, 4). Academia and Nursing leadership Leading the Way, and 5). Benefits of Professional Nursing Organizations.

Results indicated that health policy education was a valued skill set. To be a politically active leader, there is a need for improved collaboration between academia, nursing leadership, and professional nursing organizations. In doing so, nurses will spearhead new and meaningful ways of approaching health policy and political action within the discipline of nursing.