How might healthcare policy advocacy change if nurses are seated at the table?

What is the potential impact of nurses holding elected office? How might healthcare policy advocacy change if nurses are seated at the table?

 

For this Discussion, you will consider what it takes to run for an elected office, as well as explore what is at stake for nurses to run for these positions. You will identify nurses elected to public office, and you will consider the impact of these positions. How might learning about policy and advocacy pave the wave for a future as an elected official?

 

RESOURCES

 

 

Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.

Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.

 

WEEKLY RESOURCES

 

TO PREPARE:

Review resources about running for elected office.

Consider what it might take—including resources, manpower, education, money, etc.—to run for office.

Research nurses who have become elected officials.

Consider why nurses might consider running for office.

BY DAY 3 OF WEEK 10

Post a response detailing the following:

 

What does it take to run for elected office? What are the resources you may need?

After determining what it takes to run for office, identify an elected official that is a nurse (anywhere in the world), and then provide an introduction, with a picture, for this official.

Finally, explain why running for office is important for nurses to consider.

 

Throughout this semester, we have examined health policy, what are the factors that affect health policy, examined the health policy process, and applied specific policy frameworks to our policy agendas. This week, we look at the “individuals” that are creating policy — and what it takes to run for office!!!

 

So — why should nurses run for office? First, nurses regularly rank as the most trusted professionals in the country. According to a recent Gallup poll, 84% of respondents rated the honesty and ethical standards of nurses as high or very high. They are more trusted and well-liked as compared to doctors, who rank second at 67%, and pharmacists, who rank third at 66%. Second, RNs tend to be the face of healthcare. They participate in so many aspects of the care delivery process, including getting to know patients, recording and collecting health information, billing and insurance, the cost of care, and workplace efficiency. Last, nurses have administrative experience, which perfectly sets them up for a career in government. They can manage a team without losing sight of the goals in question.

 

Who are those in office? So, while a nurse has yet to get elected to the US Senate, serve as a state governor, or President of the U.S., there are currently three nurses serving in the U.S. House of Representatives (2024).

 

They are:

 

Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (Illinois, 14th district)

Congresswoman Cori Bush (Missouri, 1st district)

Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (Virginia, 2nd district)

 

For more information on these individuals, please click here!

 

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For this week’s discussion, you are asked to examine what it takes to run for office, who currently holds office, and why holding office is important for nurses. Given that there are only three nurses on the federal level, I would ask that FOR THIS DISCUSSION, you focus on your STATE OR LOCAL LEVEL. What if you do have a nurse serving on the state or local level — keep in mind — that policy not only occurs in government, but in state and local organizations. So, you may focus on a nurse who is currently part of a local or state organization.

 

You may wish to present your discussion in the following format:

 

1. The Importance of Running for Office

2. What does it take to run for office? What are the necessary resources that are needed to be successful?

3. An Elected Official who is a Nurse: Please include a BRIEF bio along with a link to their website if available. Please identify what LEVEL of government or organization they are involved in.

4. Conclusion