Chapter 15: The Political Chapter 15: The Political Activism of Nursing – In Activism of Nursing – In

Organizations & Organizations & GovernmentGovernment

Bonnie M. Wivell, MS, RN, CNSBonnie M. Wivell, MS, RN, CNS

Policy & PracticePolicy & Practice

►Policy:Policy: Principles & values governing Principles & values governing actions toward a given end. Sets forth actions toward a given end. Sets forth a plan or goal for action. Changes with a plan or goal for action. Changes with values.values.

►Politics: Politics: Art of influencing decisions. Art of influencing decisions. Process of influencing allocation of Process of influencing allocation of scarce resources. scarce resources. Stakeholders with vested interest Stakeholders with vested interest

influence decision makinginfluence decision making

Linking Practice, Policy, and Linking Practice, Policy, and PoliticsPolitics

►Florence Nightingale and Lavinia Dock Florence Nightingale and Lavinia Dock saw and understood the connection saw and understood the connection between their work and the larger between their work and the larger world in which policy decisions world in which policy decisions affected what they were able to doaffected what they were able to do Flo and the Crimean war effortFlo and the Crimean war effort Lavinia assisted with founding ANA to Lavinia assisted with founding ANA to

improve working conditions for nursesimprove working conditions for nurses

Political Activism in Political Activism in GovernmentGovernment

►““The personal is political.”The personal is political.”► Personal experience/view gives power Personal experience/view gives power

to become involved and contributeto become involved and contribute►Personal experience compels Personal experience compels

involvement in the political processinvolvement in the political process

PowerPower► Power Power is the ability to make something happenis the ability to make something happen► Personal powerPersonal power: one’s status, charisma, wealth, : one’s status, charisma, wealth,

part of dominant classpart of dominant class► Position powerPosition power: inherent in job position : inherent in job position ► Expert power: Expert power: knowledge used to affect knowledge used to affect

outcomeoutcome► Latent powerLatent power: untapped & underused; : untapped & underused;

**nurses****nurses**► Professional powerProfessional power: knowledge based power : knowledge based power

within a professionwithin a profession► Power grabbing: Power grabbing: hoarding power and control, hoarding power and control,

taking it from others, or wielding it over otherstaking it from others, or wielding it over others► Power sharing: Power sharing: equalizing resources, knowledge, equalizing resources, knowledge,

or controlor control

Power of MediaPower of Media

►““Effective utilization of media is a Effective utilization of media is a powerful political tool for influencing powerful political tool for influencing both the public and those who hold both the public and those who hold elective office.”elective office.”

►Radio, Internet, Television, NewspapersRadio, Internet, Television, Newspapers► Johnson & Johnson (1999)--$25 million in Johnson & Johnson (1999)--$25 million in

public service announcements & public service announcements & scholarships to increase awareness of scholarships to increase awareness of nursing shortagenursing shortage

A Lesson in CivicsA Lesson in Civics

►Three Branches of Government:Three Branches of Government: Legislative, Executive, JudicialLegislative, Executive, Judicial

►Three Levels of Government:Three Levels of Government: Federal, State, LocalFederal, State, Local

►Electoral Process: process of electing Electoral Process: process of electing public officialspublic officials Primary elections, General elections, Primary elections, General elections,

Referendum—voter preference on issueReferendum—voter preference on issue

Nurses Can InfluenceNurses Can Influence Health Care Policy Health Care Policy

►Political Action Committees (PACs): Political Action Committees (PACs): raise and distribute money to raise and distribute money to candidates who support the candidates who support the profession’s stand on certain issuesprofession’s stand on certain issues

►Citizen level: keep informed, voteCitizen level: keep informed, vote►Activist level: involved on specific Activist level: involved on specific

issue that affects professional lifeissue that affects professional life Get to know your legislatorsGet to know your legislators

►Politician level: seek political officePolitician level: seek political office

Organized Nursing Political Organized Nursing Political ActivitiesActivities

► Strengthens professional nursingStrengthens professional nursing► Influences health policyInfluences health policy► Update nurse practice actsUpdate nurse practice acts► Modifications of multi-state licensingModifications of multi-state licensing► Required continuing education for re-licensureRequired continuing education for re-licensure► Nurse-patient ratio mandatesNurse-patient ratio mandates► Direct reimbursement for advance practice RNDirect reimbursement for advance practice RN► Prescriptive privileges for advance practice RNPrescriptive privileges for advance practice RN► Protect civil & privacy rights of patientProtect civil & privacy rights of patient► Illness prevention services & primary care for Illness prevention services & primary care for

vulnerable populations (women, children, elderly)vulnerable populations (women, children, elderly)

Nurses Who Knew How to Use Nurses Who Knew How to Use Political PowerPolitical Power

►Diane Carlson EvansDiane Carlson Evans Goal was to recognize women, esp. those who Goal was to recognize women, esp. those who

served in Vietnamserved in Vietnam Created a national nonprofit organizationCreated a national nonprofit organization Was responsible for the erection of the Vietnam Was responsible for the erection of the Vietnam

Women’s Memorial dedicated on the National Women’s Memorial dedicated on the National Mall on Nov. 11, 1993Mall on Nov. 11, 1993

► Karen DaleyKaren Daley Sustained a needlestick injury in an ER in 1998Sustained a needlestick injury in an ER in 1998 Contracted HIV and Hep CContracted HIV and Hep C Brought national media attention to the issue Brought national media attention to the issue

which brought about reformwhich brought about reform