Any nurse who has an interest in influencing the policy process, even one with limited time and resources, can find a way to become a confident advocate. Nurses Serving in the U.S. Congress | ANA Enterprise Results: Based on the analysis undertaken, nurses' policy influence is nurses' ability in influencing decisions and affairs related to health through political knowledge, effective communication, and collaboration with other members of the health team, which results in the improvement of nurses' job environment and increases patient outcomes. Advocacy, action, and the allure of butter: A focus on policy. This means, even when a nurse practitioner (NP) has been trained and licensed to practice and care for patients independently, the NP isn't able to practice unless overseen by a medical doctor. Building credibility with ones legislators and their staff should start before one needs their support. A change to the program of importance to advanced practice registered nurses came in 1998, when the U.S. Congress added nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists as providers who can bill for Part B services they provide to Medicare beneficiaries. Health Affairs Web Exclusive, September 20, 2006. The legislation HB 4550 would set mandatory staffing ratios, meaning only a certain number of patients could be assigned to a specific nurse's care. The bases of social power. Votes on issues are determined by constituent input and this is where you can make a difference. Even though you may not be invited to testify in person at a committee hearing, there are still opportunities to communicate your position to committee members and or their staff and to explore who supports the bill and who opposes it. Each state has a similar legislative process to authoritatively make policy decisions. Nurses are the ones who listen to the issues that are important to patients and for the goals of their plans of care. As nurses get ready to take their issues into the legislative arena and to use their legislative power and political clout, it is essential to determine which strategies will be timely and most effective. (1996). Having nurse leaders in federal government roles means we have come a long way since Rep. Johnson was first elected in 1992. De Navas-Walt, Proctor, and Hill Lee (2006) draw on the United States Census Bureau data collected in 2005 in reporting that the number of uninsured has grown to 46.6 million while the cost of health care continues to rise. In addition, foundation documents developed by the American Nurses Association (ANA), such as the Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements (ANA, 2001) and Nursings Social Policy Statement, (ANA, 2003); provide additional sources of the professions legitimate power to address organizational, social, economic, legal, and political factors within the health care system and society (Fawcett & Russell, 2001). HCB: You founded the Congressional Nursing Caucus and are serving as its co-chair. Congresswoman Underwood is the first woman, the first person of color, and the first millennial to represent her community in Congress. Rep. Black:Absolutely. Be a resource now and in the future by showing that you can be counted on to provide more data or other relevant information. Rep. Black:Nurses undergo significant training so that they can perform their jobs under long, often off-peak hours, and under some of the most stressful and time-sensitive conditions. Success accepts challenges in addressing injustices especially within the health-care arena. There is a reason that nurses are consistently rated as among the most well-respected professions, and that is certainly a quality we would like to see more of in Congress! Agenda for excellence: Administering the state. These different power bases are not necessarily independent and may be complementary. With the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, the need for nurses, especially advanced practice nurses, to provide care will hopefully lead to increasing options for nurses to serve to the top extent of our training and licensure combining. Cori Bush (first Congressional District of Missouri) earned a diploma in nursing and worked as a triage nurse before entering politics. It is where citizens go to meet their legislators, Understanding the Steps of the Legislative Process. Nurse's Role* Policy Making . Given todays rising costs, deteriorating access, and variable quality, improving health care performance is a matter of national urgency (Carey, 2006). As voters, nurses have the ability to reward their own elected officials by voting them back into office and working for their reelection. Jack Miner, vice provost for enrollment management, speaks about record enrollment for Fall 2023. Committees are the centers of policy making and public education at both the federal and state levels. Flanagan, M. (n.d.). They must be decisive and exercise the strongest judgment when doing their jobs. In the give and take of the policy arena, it is the policy makers, the legislators at the state and federal level, who have the power to enact or not enact policy changes related to important nursing issues such as enhanced funding for nursing education, safe workplaces, appropriate staffing levels, and the removal of barriers to practice for advanced practice nurses. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster. Cincinnati will look to reach even greater heights as a member of the Power 5 conference that has seen its teams win 76 team national championships since its inception in 1994. Discussion: Importance of Nurse Legislator's Role in - EssayZoo This trust is valuable and is transferable into action to improve what is failing in today's modern health care delivery system. As the largest single group of health care providers, nurses have the potential to successfully advocate from a diverse power base; and they and have a unique perspective on health care policies and expertise to share with power brokers. Rep. McCarthy recently announced that she will retire from Congress for health reasons. Key words: health policy, legislative arena, legislative process, nurse advocacy, policy advocates, politics, policy process, power bases, power of numbers. And not just that. Members of Congress specifically, and public officials generally, need to be dedicated to the task at hand. It is an interactive process with multiple points of access providing opportunities to influence the multiple decision makers involved at each stage. For example, physicians have effectively exercised coercive, legitimate, and expert power to dominate the health care policy process in both the private and public sectors for many years (Kalisch & Kalisch, 1982). Today, the code stipulates, in part, that nurses take action to influence leaders, legislators, governmental and non-governmental agencies, and all areas related to health affairs that impact social determinants of health. The Gallup Poll. Together we bring a unique perspective to the policy debates of the day. Health policy and politics: Get involved!. Author Guidelines and Manuscript Submission, Get your free access to the exclusive newsletter of, www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/Policy-Advocacy/Federal/Nurses-in-Congress, Strategies to combat implicit bias in nursing, Implementing safe discharges for patients without homes, Nursing and the evolution of population health, $78 Million in Grants Awarded to Increase Nursing Faculty at 25 Programs, The unintended consequences of workplace violence policies, Truth or Lies: Fighting Back Against Misinformation, The double life of a RN and NFL Cheerleader - 1-on-1 with Philadelphia Eagles Gabriela Bren. Prepare and develop a one-page paper that succinctly describes why you called the meeting. Every day nurses are positioned to see not only the impact of health policy on individual patients but also the need for more comprehensive changes in the policies that address many health-related issues (Kendig, 2006). (1997). Nurses, as providers and consumers of health care services, have professional and personal experiences regarding the problems and possible solutions to share with policy decision makers. Retrieved December 16, 2006 from www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/OccupationalandEnvironmental/occupationalhealth/handlewithcare/HearingonErgonomicsSafety/StatementofMaggieFlanagan.aspx and from www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/OccupationalandEnvironmental/occupationalhealth/handlewithcare/WashingtonCampaign/Story.aspx, French and Ravens five forms of power. Most everyone will come into contact with nurses at some point in their lives. Skilled lobbyists often come with legislative proposals. Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), including nurse practitioners (NPs), are poised to assist in the response to growing demands for health care as health care systems restructure (International Council of Nurses, 2020).In 2015, at least 16 countries had the NP role, yet only half had policy regulating the role (Heale & Buckley, 2015).The national nursing associations of these . For National Nurses Week, two nurses who serve in the U.S. House of Representatives share their views on nurse leadership with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Human Capital Blog. In the words of Florence Nightingale: I think one's feelings waste themselves in words; they ought all to be distilled into actions, which bring results. This is the best reason to participate in the political process. These are sources of power available to even novice policy advocates when they speak up to alter existing policies, institutional systems, laws, or resource allocations in ways that potentially benefit not just one person but many individuals. The The Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act is an important step to protect workers' rights to organize a union and to stop employers' attacks so that every worker can organize without fear of retaliation. Washington Health Policy Week in Review. Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act Have they communicated with me? (2006). It also discusses the important role nurses play in advocating for the profession as policies are developed. Even the busiest professionals can find convenient ways to advocate for a better health care system. Support for nurses and their patients is a bipartisan effort, and I have been privileged to work with some great Republican members on this issue over the years, as well. At times decision makers have an invested interest in maintaining the status quo. This is also done at the state level and even at the community level. Mick, S. (2004). Legislators ask themselves many questions before they vote to support or oppose a bill. She earned a MS in Nursing Health Services Administration from the University of Michigan and a PhD in Nursing from George Mason University. Nursing topped the chart. Yet the mere existence of a power base and capability is not the same as actualized power. She also serves on the influential House Budget Committee where she takes an active role in promoting fiscally responsible spending priorities for the annual federal budget. Whether they acknowledge it or not, all nurses are touched by the policy and politics of health care system and the impact the policies, legislation, and regulations developed in those arenas have on the way they practice their profession (Holmes & Gastaldo, 2002). They need to feel the connection and compassion to the people and issues they are fighting for. President Obama also appointed Mary Wakefield, PhD, RN, as administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Nurses and legislative involvement - PubMed The implementation phase involves disseminating information about the adopted policy and putting the policy into action. This means, even when a nurse practitioner (NP) has been trained and licensed to practice and care for . Although both rewards and threats of punishment are powerful motivators, advocates are better served by using reward power than coercive power. B. Jr. & Darr, K. (1992). HCB:How do nurses training and experience position them to be strong leaders? Preliminary findings: 2004 national sample survey of registered nurses. Lauren Underwood (14th Congressional District of Illinois) earned master's degrees in both nursing and public health before working as a senior advisor at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is expert power that allows nurses to bring their knowledge of nursing, health care, and patient safety to bear directly on the promotion and achievement of their policy goals. Do you think Congress, and the country, would benefit from more nurses in public office? These different factions do not necessarily view the issue through the same lens and often have diverse and competing interests. Beyond the Nurse Practice Act: Making a Difference through Advocacy document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 HealthCom Media All rights reserved. . WLWT-Channel 5 features efforts to welcome incoming students to the UC as part of summer orientation. That is why I always lead a bipartisan effort to keep this program strong. ), Policy and politics in nursing and health care (3rd ed.). Consider the following tips from the AONE. Nurses and members of Congress were on opposite ends of the chart. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); *By submitting your e-mail, you are opting in to receiving information from Healthcom Media and Affiliates. Haass, R. (2005). However, invitations to testify are usually offered to larger, organized groups which have developed a position on the issue, rather than to individuals. Vol. In spite of a serious and ongoing nursing shortage, wide-spread dissatisfaction among bedside nurses, the aging nursing workforce and teaching faculties, continuing conflicts with physicians, and lack of success to demographically diversify, the nursing profession has not been able to actualize their collective power. Our health care system is undergoing many changes right now, and in order to preserve the nations greatest health care system, I believe it is essential that nurses play a key role in advancing the policy debate. Rep. Capps: A leader can function in different roles. Introduce yourselfwho you are, why you're there, and what you specifically want to discussand provide an overviewwhy the problem exists, the implications, and the solutions. Power is an inevitable part of human interaction, and those persons including nurses who deny this fact will be at a serious disadvantage when trying to make change (Kalisch & Kalisch, 1982). They provide new advocates with easy access to more experienced nurse advocates willing to serve as mentors. Since a basic understanding of the policy process is the first step in strategizing how to activate potential power and influence meaningful changes in the health care system, this section will discuss the three phases of policy making, as well as the connection between policy and politics. Another reason may be that advocacy beyond the patient care environment has never been expected. One of my proudest accomplishments is the inclusion of provisions to improve our health care workforce, with a specific emphasis on nurses. Reward power is the ability to give other people what they want, and hence ask them to do things for you in exchange. While the profession desires to increase nurses' political participation, there has not been a structured, comprehensive program to recruit, train, motivate, and support nurses to pursue elected office. Income, poverty, and health insurance coverage in the United States: 2005. As in earlier times, many nurses today are inspired to take on some form of advocacy to bring about change in the current policies, laws, or regulations that govern the larger health care system. Nurse Legislators: Representing Health Care in State Government Health policy is a set course of action (or inaction) undertaken by governments or health care organizations to obtain a desired health outcome (Cherry & Trotter Betts, 2005). Public policy enacted by local, state, or federal governmental bodies is usually implemented through the regulatory process that translates the policy into a written set of rules issued by the government agency which has the responsibility for administering the policy. I often work with my physician colleagues to raise awareness on a host of health issues. The most important part of being an advocate is awareness of the issues that are important. Be aware of the opposition so that you can counter an argument. The importance of leadership and health policy training cannot be overemphasized. Set goals for the meeting so it's clear what you want to achieve. I authored the Nurse Reinvestment Act, which established programs aimed at both increasing the number of qualified nurses, including advanced practice nurses and nursing school faculty, and improving the quality of nursing services in the United States through the Title VIII Nursing workforce programs. Nurses instinctively advocate for their patients, in their workplaces, and in their communities; but legislative and political advocacy is no less important to advancing the profession and patient care. Vice President of Federal Relations and Policy, American Organization of Nurse Executives/American Hospital Association, Washington, D.C. Members of Congress and the political party to which they belong have a significant impact on health policy, nursing, and patient safety. There are many more forms of reward -- in fact anything we find desirable can be a reward, from a promotion with more money to a pat on the back (Cohen et al., 1998; French & Raven, 1959; Lee, 1997; Rakich et al., 1992). &. Free Metrics Figure Not a day goes by that nurses aren't involved in patient advocacy. Rules hearings are held by the Board of . Gay and bisexual men are unable to donate blood due to outdated and discriminatory policies from the 1980s and the AIDS crisis, prior to when HIV testing was effective and widely available. It is gained by having other peoples admiration and respect (Cohen et al., 1998; French & Raven, 1959; Lee, 1997; Rakich et al., 1992). Although you can't change core beliefs, your input can have an important impact on what a legislator may know about an issue. I took my first course Introduction to American Politics around the same time Forbes published the ranking. UC expects to enroll between 49,000 and 50,000 students. Leaders must be decisive in the face of questions, and resilient in the face of challenges. Rep. Capps:As a nurse in Congress, I know and understand the impact the nursing shortage can have on my constituents, but it is not a problem we can fix overnight. The congresswoman responded to questions submitted by meeting attendees on her journeys in nursing and politics, the Black Maternal Caucus and the Momnibus Act of 2021, and how to engage student nurses in health policy. The nursing profession is underrepresented in local, state, and federal legislatures. She also has been tasked with addressing the severe provider shortages we face across the country. I believe nurses, through their training and experience, must be all of these things and more. Political advocacy can at times be discouraging when facts or research are discredited or agendas are challenged. Purpose: She has drawn from those experiences to become a champion on a number of healthcare and public safety issues. 1 Nurses have the skills and courage, along with public respect for their work, to be involved and influential in health policy development. to maintaining your privacy and will not share your personal information without Wolters Kluwer Health HCB: How do nurses training and experience position them to be strong leaders? Author Betsy Mulvaney . The views and opinions expressed here are those of the authors. For more information, please refer to our Privacy Policy. Coercion is the ultimate power of all governments. Advocacy adds a dimension to their professional practice that offers the reward of having more control over patient care and outcomes. Our role as legislative advocates : Nursing Management - LWW Basically there are three phases of policy making: the formulation phase, the implementation phase, and the evaluation phase. Retrieved December 16, 2006 from www.house.gov/ed_workforce/hearings/106th/wp/needlestick62200/daley.htm, DeNavas-Walt, C., Proctor, B. Hill Lee, C. (2006). When the results of their research revealed the need for a change in the Texas law, they went to work. Public health-related policies come from local, state, or federal legislation, regulations, and/or court rulings which govern the provision of health care services. ANA believes that advocacy is a pillar of nursing. Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice 2(2), 108-116.