Since the publication of the APRN Consensus Model (APRN Joint Dialogue Group Report) in 2008, advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) have been working toward uniformity of scope of practice throughout the country. Having this would lay the foundation to develop compact licensure for APRNs. Since each state identifies the scope of practice for nurses within that state, changes need to happen on a state-by-state basis (Hanson, 2014). This happens legislatively. This may create a challenge since nurses are generally someplace between ambivalent to apathetic about political involvement (DiChiacchio, 2014). As APRNs work to bring their states into alignment with the Consensus Model, for legislative changes to happen, it is important that these nursing professionals be able to communicate with their elected representatives about the issues connected to this. In light of nursing’s history of lack of engagement in policy issues, an attempt was made to gather information about how well prepared Arizona APRNs perceived themselves to be.
Methods:
A survey explored perceived level of preparation to engage in policy-related activity, what motivation led to activity, and what barriers to involvement existed.
Results:
The biggest barriers identified for political engagement were lack of time and lack of knowledge or experience about the political process. These findings are consistent with other research (Emery, 2015; Moran, 2014). The most commonly identified reason for engagement was having an unequal voice when compared to other health care professionals. Most identified the education about policy that they received happened in their APRN program with conferences and personal pursuit also being sources of preparation. Less than half of the respondents indicated the preparation was sufficient.
Conclusion:
This information raises a number of issues. The American Nurses Association’s Code of Ethics (2015) identifies that nurses are expected to be able to function in health policy. This would be expected to begin in Bachelor programs, continue in Master’s programs, and be incorporated as one of the Essentials in the Doctor of Nursing. However, this is not sufficient since most Arizona APRNs do not feel well-prepared. If effective policy involvement is expected, then the current preparation does not seem to be effective. Students may see the policy components of the program as not being relevant to their nursing practice. It is possible that faculty serving as an active role model or mentor would be helpful. Possibly becoming involved in local activities may help develop confidence in matters of policy.
Because of the APRN Consensus Model (APRN Joint Dialogue Group Report, 2008), APRNs may be more willing to speak up about scope of practice issues. If they are not willing to engage on this topic, uniform scope of practice may continue to be a distant dream. To promote the nursing profession, it is important to be comfortable speaking about the nurse’s role since legislators are the ones who vote on scope of practice issues.