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Learning Objective 1: Identify the importance of integrating political activism content within the BSN and MSN curricula.
Learning Objective 2: Enhance leadership skills in undergraduate and graduate students through collaboration with local, state, and national legislators and with professional organizations.
The purpose of this presentation is to identify strategies for infusing information related to health care systems and health policy into BSN and MSN curricula. The IOM report specifically calls for nurses to have higher education and to be better prepared to deal with a complex society. “To ensure the delivery of safe, patient-centered care across settings, the nursing education system must be improved. Patient needs have become more complicated, and nurses need to attain requisite competencies to deliver high-quality care. These competencies include leadership, health policy, system improvement, research and evidence-based practice, and teamwork and collaboration, as well as competency in specific content areas including community and public health and geriatrics” (IOM report, 2010).
Methods
The goals for this curricular wide focus are for students to understand the political process and its use in nursing practice and health policy, to be aware of the impact of the political process and health policy on clients, and to advocate for the health of the people of the nation, state, and local area. In the BSN curriculum the focus on political advocacy begins early with students being involved in activities at the local level and then progresses to an understanding of and involvement in state and national governments. At the graduate level students are expected to assess the health concerns within the community and develop programs in collaboration with local governments/agencies. In addition the focus for both levels includes an emphasis on involvement in professional organizations.
Results/Conclusion
At the conclusion of these curricular initiatives students have developed knowledge about the political process and how policy impacts individuals, families, aggregates, and communities through direct observation of the process. In addition, students demonstrate enthusiasm and excitement about being politically active and are civically engaged as a nurse and a citizen.