Nursing Political Activism - Opinions

[rprn2009]

Hi everyone,

I'm enrolled in a graduate-level policy course and was looking to get a few nurse opinions regarding nursing policy in general. They are as follows:

1. How do you do think the public perceives nursing political activism versus how the nursing community views it?

2. What has been your own role in and contribution to nursing political activism?

3. Do you believe that the nursing role as a patient caregiver and political activist are intertwined or independent of each other?

Please include any other demographic information such as pertinent work history and educational background that could give an overview of your experience as a nurse.

Thanks! and I appreciate your help!

Ray, RN in Oregon

[tewdles, RN]

Hi everyone,

I'm enrolled in a graduate-level policy course and was looking to get a few nurse opinions regarding nursing policy in general. They are as follows:

1. How do you do think the public perceives nursing political activism versus how the nursing community views it?

2. What has been your own role in and contribution to nursing political activism?

3. Do you believe that the nursing role as a patient caregiver and political activist are intertwined or independent of each other?

Please include any other demographic information such as pertinent work history and educational background that could give an overview of your experience as a nurse.

Thanks! and I appreciate your help!

Ray, RN in Oregon

I will give it a go Ray...

IMHO...#1 Depends upon what type of political activism they are participating in. Activism in things like collective bargaining, etc may not be perceived well by either the public or the profession. Activism in political elections/campaigns will be perceived according to the political leanings of both the public and the professionals.

#2 I have been active in local and regional issues, not on a national or international level. I have previously but do not currently sit on any local or regional boards/committees, etc.

#3 They are completely independent.

Background = professional nursing for 34 years, mix of bedside and management, mix of acute/community/home nursing. practice in the full spectrum of life from birth to death.

Good luck.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

1. How do you do think the public perceives nursing political activism versus how the nursing community views it?

I don't think that there is any recognition of nursing as an entity from the public perspective. They tend to identify us as individuals only.

2. What has been your own role in and contribution to nursing political activism?

I have been a member of my state & national professional organization (ANA) since 1983.. I contribute to the ANA-PAC and assist with awareness campaigns on a regular basis, including contacting my legislators to urge them to support nurse-friendly legislation.

3. Do you believe that the nursing role as a patient caregiver and political activist are intertwined or independent of each other?

It is unethical to use a professions/therapeutic relationship with their patients to influence the patient's actions or beliefs in any issue unrelated to their plan of care. However, nurses are free to draw upon public perceptions of (nursing) character, integrity and expertise to influence opinions of public policy decisions.