Nurses Political Involvement: Importance of Nursing Activism 2/07

The Introductory Articles in this OJIN topic look at power from different perspectives....

Manojlovich discusses the various concepts and definitions of power, both in nursing and in other settings and disciplines, providing the historical framework in which to study the evolution of power in nursing practice over the years. She compares the positive outcomes of empowerment on nursing status and professional autonomy with the negative impact of nurses’ failing to understand and embrace power. Positive patient outcomes, as well as increased satisfaction for nurses themselves, are inextricably linked to nursing power, as has been repeatedly demonstrated in research on magnet hospitals. Manojlovich further discusses the organizational characteristics which are key contributors to the nurses’ power to influence patient care in the current work setting.

Abood looks at nursing power in the context of political and legislative advocacy in a health care system badly in need of change. This article points out the symbiotic relationship which exists between the practice setting and the legislative arena, and the ways in which political advocacy can enhance nursing practice in the work setting. After outlining the historical perspective of nursing advocacy, Abood defines the sources from which nurses can derive power. Such an understanding, along with knowledge of the policy-making process and the political forces which govern it, is vital to effective nursing advocacy. She provides specific examples of nurses who have identified problems within the health care system, and who were able to bring about needed change by developing and utilizing political skills. Abood makes the very important point that most policy changes require sustained group effort over many months, which should highlight the importance to nurses of their professional organization as the vehicle for such changes...

Nursing apathy toward participation in the political process is pandemic. Never more so than today has the profession needed a strong united stand within the political arena. Political involvement encompasses being knowledgeable about issues, laws, and health policy. Barriers to political activism are thought to encompass several spectra including heavy workloads, feelings of powerlessness, time constraints, sex issues, and lack of understanding of a complex political process.

The implementation of a political role for a nurse is based on three levels of commitment including survival, success, and significance.
Survival includes individual involvement within communities. Success accepts challenges in addressing injustices especially within the health-care arena. Significant involvement uses visionary nurses toward the betterment of the nurse profession.

Strategies for involvement include political awareness, incorporation of course/program expectations on both undergraduate and graduate levels and teamwork. As patient advocates, nurses cannot continue to be spectators in the political arena.

Politics has become a dirty word for many people. However, decisions made in the political arena impact upon our lives - both at work and in the broader social sense. In a truly democratic society, democracy should be more than simply voting once every three years or so. A democratic society affords all people the opportunity to participate in political debates, and yet we should not take these rights for granted....

...But why is politics so important? Part of the answer to this lies in the formation of the Australia Labor Party - formed by unions at the time to ensure that ordinary working men and women could have a voice in their own governments, which until then had been dominated by the very wealthy acting for the very wealthy. It is this need (indeed right) to have a say and to influence decisions on a range of issues that makes political power so important for nurses.