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