The Future of Nursing Needs YOU

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The Future of Nursing Needs YOU!
to get political
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What is Politics?

• The process of influencing how limited resources
  are allocated.

(Mason, Leavitt Chaffee, 2002 )
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Why Get Involved Politically?

• Nurses have
• in-depth
• knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of our
  health care system

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The Voice of Nursing

• Nursing cannot be seen
• as a significant
• health care profession
• unless it is visible and vocal in connection with
  all the major health care issues of our time.
• (Buresh and Gordon, 2000, p. 20)

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How can nurses find their voice?

• Realize that no one but nurses can truly inform
  the public about nursing.

(Buresh Gordon, 2000, p.20)
6
How can nurses find their voice?

• Every nurse should make public communication and
  education about nursing an integral part of his
  or her nursing work.

(Buresh Gordon, 2000, p.20)
7
How can nurses find their voice?

• Nurses must overcome the internal obstacles that
  silence them.
• (Buresh and Gordon, 2000, p. 20)

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Does my voice count?
In 1975, ONE VOTE changed France from a monarchy
to a republic.
In 1845, ONE VOTE brought Texas into the
Union (Goldwater and Zusy, 1990, p.31)
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Does my voice count?

• In 1776, ONE VOTE gave America the English
  language instead of German.

In 1923, ONE VOTE gave Adolph Hitler leadership
of the Nazi Party. (Goldwater and Zusy, 1990,
p.31)
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The Four Spheres of Political Influence
Community
Workplace
Community
Community is the sphere that supports and
embraces all the others.
Government
Organizations
Community
(Mason, Leavitt, Chaffee, 2002)
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Workplace

• Participate in meetings

Join committees
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Workplace
Talk to your nursing supervisor about changes

• Find a mentor that understands the importance of
  nurse involvement in policy making

13
Community

• Participate in public meetings (PTA, Town Hall
  etc.)

Register to vote Vote every election
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Community

• Speak out when services or working conditions are
  inadequate

Know your local, state and federal elected
officials
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Organizations
Pick an organization such as
American Nurses Association
The ANA is the largest professional nursing
organization represents all American nurses.
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Organizations

• Less than 10 of RNs in the US are members of
  the American Nurses Association

Imagine the influence 2.7 million American RNs
would have if they were united!
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Government
Contact your public officials Email, write or call

• Run for office
• Register others to vote
• Testify before a committee

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Government

• Work on a political campaign

Write letters to the editor of your local paper
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Conclusion

• Begin today by taking baby steps toward
• political action

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KEEP IN MIND

• One of the penalties for refusing to participate
  in politics is that you end up being governed by
  your inferiors.
• Plato

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GET POLITICAL

• The future of nursing depends on
• YOU!

Power
Vision
Action
Voice
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Links

• http//www.nsna.org
• http//ana.org
• http//nln.org
• www.congress.org
• www.firstgov.gov
• http//hippo.findlaw.com/
• http//thomas.loc.gov/

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Credits

• Created by
• Katie Clark and Debbie Reeves
• Boise State University Senior Nursing Students
• Special thanks to
• Pam Gehrke, RN, MS for her inspiration and
  support
• Honey Beddingfield, NSNA Vice President, NSNA
  Board of Directors, Council of State Presidents
  and Legislative Education Committee members for
  the opportunity to work on this project

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References
Buresh, B. Gordon, S. (2000). From silence to
voice What nurses know and must communicate to
the public. Ithaca, NY ILR Press. pp.
20. Goldwater, M., Zusy, M.J.L., (1990).
Prescription For Nurses Effective Political
Action. C.V. Mosby CompanySt. Louis, MO.
pp31. Mason, D.J., Leavitt, J.K., Chaffee,
M.W. (2002). Policy and politics in nursing and
health care (4th ed.). St. Louis, MO
Saunders.