Bonnie M. Wivell, MS, RN, CNS Chapter 15: The Political Activism of Nursing – In Organizations & Government Bonnie M. Wivell, MS, RN, CNS 1

Policy & Practice Policy: Principles & values governing actions toward a given end. Sets forth a plan or goal for action. Changes with values. Politics: Art of influencing decisions. Process of influencing allocation of scarce resources. Stakeholders with vested interest influence decision making 2

Linking Practice, Policy, and Politics Florence Nightingale and Lavinia Dock saw and understood the connection between their work and the larger world in which policy decisions affected what they were able to do Flo and the Crimean war effort Lavinia assisted with founding ANA to improve working conditions for nurses

Political Activism in Government “The personal is political.” Personal experience/view gives power to become involved and contribute Personal experience compels involvement in the political process 4

Power Power is the ability to make something happen Personal power: one’s status, charisma, wealth, part of dominant class Position power: inherent in job position Expert power: knowledge used to affect outcome Latent power: untapped & underused; **nurses** Professional power: knowledge based power within a profession Power grabbing: hoarding power and control, taking it from others, or wielding it over others Power sharing: equalizing resources, knowledge, or control 5

Power of Media “Effective utilization of media is a powerful political tool for influencing both the public and those who hold elective office.” Radio, Internet, Television, Newspapers Johnson & Johnson (1999)--$25 million in public service announcements & scholarships to increase awareness of nursing shortage 6

A Lesson in Civics Three Branches of Government: Legislative, Executive, Judicial Three Levels of Government: Federal, State, Local Electoral Process: process of electing public officials Primary elections, General elections, Referendum—voter preference on issue 7

Nurses Can Influence Health Care Policy Political Action Committees (PACs): raise and distribute money to candidates who support the profession’s stand on certain issues Citizen level: keep informed, vote Activist level: involved on specific issue that affects professional life Get to know your legislators Politician level: seek political office 8

Organized Nursing Political Activities Strengthens professional nursing Influences health policy Update nurse practice acts Modifications of multi-state licensing Required continuing education for re-licensure Nurse-patient ratio mandates Direct reimbursement for advance practice RN Prescriptive privileges for advance practice RN Protect civil & privacy rights of patient Illness prevention services & primary care for vulnerable populations (women, children, elderly) 9

Nurses Who Knew How to Use Political Power Diane Carlson Evans Goal was to recognize women, esp. those who served in Vietnam Created a national nonprofit organization Was responsible for the erection of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial dedicated on the National Mall on Nov. 11, 1993 Karen Daley Sustained a needlestick injury in an ER in 1998 Contracted HIV and Hep C Brought national media attention to the issue which brought about reform