Post on 03-Jan-2016
Learning the Ropes of Policy, Politics, and
AdvocacyBy: Jose CayabyabAnnie Halverson
Political Involvement
Nurses learn the skills of politics and policy by mentoring, role modeling and practice.
There are hundreds of causes and issues to stimulate our interest, we as students decide how much energy, time, and interest to put forth.
The political arena will open many doors for us as nurses.
Political Development of Nursing: How it is related to the Individual
Buy In Phase: Is a reactive stage. When the profession begins to promote the political awareness of nurses to injustices or changes needed in the policy arena.
Self-Interest Phase: When nurses see the connections between politics and policy in their lives, they are more likely to engage in political activism.
Political Development of Nursing: How it is related to the Individual
Political Sophistication Stage: When policy makers and health care leaders view nurses as having valuable expertise.
Leading the Way Stage: Highest level of political involvement when nursing “sets the agenda” for change.
Advocacy and Activism
Nurses are considered to be POWERFUL ADVOCATES What does this mean ?
Difference between BSN vs. MSN◦BSN: Advocate for health care that is sensitive to
the needs of patients and for professional standards of practice
◦MSN: Advocate for nursing profession and the role of change agent within the health care system
Different Advocate Roles Nurses Assume
Legal: The nurse guards the patients rights.Moral-Ethical: The nurse up holds the
patients values.Spiritual: The nurse provides access to
spiritual support.Substitutive: The nurse protects the interests
of the patients unable to do so themselves.Political: The nurse facilitates equal access to
health care.
The Role of Mentoring
Research found that there are three “hooks” that get nurses involved in health policy:
Personal experienceMentorsDramatic interventions
The Role of Mentoring
Mentor relationships are essential for professional success, socialization, and leadership development.
The Role of Mentoring
A mentor can inspire, encourage, guide, and model behavior.
The Role of Mentoring
A mentor can also teach the “nuts and bolts” of political involvement.
The Role of Mentoring
Mentors canempower others andinspire them to makea change.
It is important todevelop a “can-do”attitude.
The Role of Mentoring
Empowerment as a model for political action – development in three dimensions:
Consciousness raising about the sociopolitical realities of nursing
Strong and positive self esteemPolitical skills for changing the system
(Mason, Leavitt, & Chaffee, 2007)
Finding a Mentor
Political mentors can be found in:ClassroomsClinical SettingsProfessional AssociationsPolitical PartiesGovernmentCommunity Settings
Finding a Mentor
Role Models
It is important to find the right mentor, a person who has knowledge and an interest in you.
Finding a Mentor
How to find a mentor:
1. Start with a list of what you would like to learn.
Finding a Mentor
How to Find a Mentor:
2. Make a list of who you would like to mentor you, people you know who may know the individual, and how to gain access to the prospective mentor.
Finding a Mentor
How to Find a Mentor:
3. Contact the person.
Finding a Mentor
How to find a mentor:
4. When you contact the prospective mentor, it is helpful to state what you want to learn from them.
Collective Mentoring
Reciprocal collective mentoring is when every nurse not only seeks a mentor, but also actively mentors others as they become more knowledgeable and involved.
Work togetherDevelop networks
Educational Opportunities
There are multiple ways to learn about health policy and politics:
Programs and courses in nursing schoolsDegree programs in public health, political
science, public policy, and public administration
Continuing education programsExperiential learningSelf-study
Levels of Involvement
The Nurse-Citizen
Registers to vote Votes in every election Keeps informed about health care issues Speaks out when services or working conditions
are inadequate Participates in public forums Interacts regularly with local, state, and federal
elected officials Joins politically active nursing organizations
Levels of Involvement
The Nurse-Activist
Contacts public officials through letters, email or telephone Registers people to vote Contributes money to a political campaign Works on a political campaign Lobbies decision-makers by providing pertinent statistical and
anecdotal information Forms or joins coalitions that support and issue of concern Writes letters to the editors of local papers Invites legislators to visit the workplace Holds a media event to publicize and issue Provides testimony
Levels of Involvement
The Nurse Politician
Runs for elected officeSeeks appointment to a regulatory agencySeeks appointment to governing boards in
the public or private sectorUses nursing expertise as a policymaker in
public or private sector