Finally, if the nurse and others concede that her ideas regarding policy change are successful and needed in the medical profession and that other medical professions would benefit from the implementation of these changes to their activities and systems, the nurse can then proceed to implementation of her plan. This she can do by communication with legislators by e-mail, phone, or letter (or in person, if she wishes); by attending forums or other official meetings with political candidates; by working in political campaigns; and by involving herself in similar activities. This would provide the nurse with networking opportunities and enable her to find a platform for and to share her ideas.
An example of just such a successful attempt was that achieved by nurses in 31 organizations (such as the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses, the American Nurses Association, and the American Organization of Nurse Executives) who, in 2008, pushed for and achieved the Nurses' Higher Education and Loan Repayment Act. Here it was agreed that the student nurse would agree to serve in an accredited school of nursing as faculty member for four years upon her graduation. In return, she would receive a loan that would assist her in her studies.
Another successful endeavor was that of the Americans for Nursing Shortage Relief (ANSR) that was comprised of 51 national nursing organizations resolved to formulate solutions to deal with staff shortage in nursing who, in 2008, banded together and submitted a testimony to a subcommittee of the...
senate regarding 2009 appropriations for Title VIII -- Nursing Workforce Development Programs. The ANSR has repeatedly urged Congress for further funds in order to encourage more students to enter nursing. Consistent pleas for this necessary funding have often times been granted.
Finally, the 2002 Nurse Reinvestment Act is an example, too, of the importance of a nurse's involvement in policy change. The goals of the act were to provide scholarships, loan forgiveness, and incentives for individuals to enter nursing and retain nursing as their career, and funding for career development in nursing. The bill was enacted, although funding has been inadequate and fluctuating for example, in 2007, only 586 of 4845 applicants for the loan repayment program were awarded loans. For that reason, the Americans for Nursing Shortage Relief (ANSR) has persisted in their testimonies for additional funding.
Making a difference in the political and polity arenas is important for, aside from making one's personal nursing activities safer, more meaningful, more fulfilling, and, possibly, more pleasurable, the nurse is also impacting the health care field as a whole, subsequently, providing a higher level of safe care for patients in general.
Source
Anderson, L. (Tuesday, February 22, 2011). The Role of Nurses in Politics and Health Policy, Nurse Together.com. Retrieved on February 22, 2011 from:
http://www.nursetogether.com/tabid/102/itemid/543/the-Role-of-Nurses-in-Politics-and-Health-Policy.aspx
