The future of nursing 2020-2030 report emphasizes the responsibility of nurses to address the health impacts and disparities caused by social drivers of health (SDOH) (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2021). However, many nurses primarily work downstream, providing individual-level interventions in hospitals or ambulatory settings. Picture focusing on a single symptom (the patient has a fever) versus the patient as a whole (the patient has sepsis!). To truly make a difference, nurses need to engage in upstream strategies that involve influencing laws and policies to improve community conditions and prevent harm from occurring. While the world of policy and lawmaking may seem daunting, there are effective and manageable pathways for nurses to get involved while maintaining a work/life/advocacy balance. Here are recommendations for how to engage in advocacy.

1. Get Granular

The first step in advocacy is to identify the key aspects of an issue that resonate most with you. By narrowing down your focus, you can channel your efforts effectively and make a tangible impact in your chosen area. To aim for too broad of a topic can take the wind out of your sails and leave you feeling adrift in a sea of potential actions. Finding your passion will provide you motivation and direction needed to drive meaningful change.

I have focused my advocacy work to address air pollution, a hidden source of mortality and morbidity that disproportionately affects underserved communities. By focusing on a specific environmental cause that has local gains, I can make a tangible difference in the communities where I live.

2. Craft Your Story

Stories are powerful tools for driving change. Nurses have unique experiences and perspectives that can resonate with a wide audience. By sharing your personal story of witnessing the effects of your chosen issue on patients and communities, you can create empathy and understanding. Illustrate how that issue impacts health outcomes, exacerbates health disparities, and increases health care costs. Your story can inspire others to act and create a sense of urgency.

My late father's work studying the ice shelves in Antarctica and his dedication to environmental care have inspired me to carry on his legacy. As a nurse and a mom, I feel a responsibility to work towards a healthier world for my own son.

3. Connect With Local Representation

Engaging with your local representatives is essential for effecting change. Elected officials may not have in-depth knowledge about every issue they encounter, so it is crucial to build relationships with them. Nurses, with their expertise in communicating complex medical conditions to patients, are well-prepared to speak to policymakers. Stay focused on two to three key points you want to discuss, and ensure your message stays on track. It can be helpful to have your talking points written down, especially if you're new to advocacy and feeling nervous. Sending a thank you note after meeting with your representatives is a best practice to reinforce the topics discussed and show appreciation for their time and attention.

I regularly attend events like the Wisconsin Nurse Association's "Nurses Day at the Capitol" and the Wisconsin Hospital Association's Advocacy Day, where I learn about the issues and can speak to my elected officials. By establishing face-to-face connections with my representatives, I can now reach out to them on other matters with the confidence that they know who I am.

4. Engage in a Collective Group

Embarking on the advocacy journey alone can be challenging. Joining advocacy-based groups provides valuable connections and opportunities to amplify your impact. Instead of working in isolation, collaborating with like-minded individuals who share your goals allows for a more effective advocacy approach. These groups often have established reputations, secure funding, and possess the expertise needed to advocate effectively. As a nurse professional development (NPD) specialist, you can contribute your talents in education to these groups. Nurses are the most trusted profession in America (Brenan, 2023), and leveraging that trust can lend importance and credibility to the issues you choose to champion.

As a member of Healthy Climate Wisconsin and the Alliance of Nurses for Health Environments (AHNE), I have been invited to speak at press conferences, publish articles, participate in panels, and teach interdisciplinary classes. While I may not have started as an expert in these areas, my nursing credentials carried weight, and I seized each opportunity to learn more about the topics. The staff at these organizations expertly handled the logistics, allowing me to focus on crafting impactful messages and content.

5. Take Action

When working with a collective group on a specific issue, it is crucial to understand your target audience. Identify the stakeholders and decision-makers who can influence the desired change. Tailor your message to resonate with their values and priorities. Set clear goals and develop a strategic plan to achieve them. Determine the necessary actions, whether it involves grassroots advocacy, policy initiatives, or public awareness campaigns, to bring about the desired change. Collaborating with experts and stakeholders enhances the effectiveness of your efforts and increases the likelihood of success.

Currently, I am organizing a bi-annual water and park cleanup across a health care organization spanning two states and 27 hospitals. This event aims to provide health care professionals with a firsthand experience of the impact of environmental pollution on public health. By volunteering and engaging in meaningful activities that directly impact the local environment, health care workers can promote health advocacy through environmental stewardship. My target audience is other health care workers, and my stakeholders are my organization's sustainability team.

Nurses have a vital role to play in addressing health challenges through policy and advocacy. By focusing on specific areas of interest, sharing compelling stories, engaging with local representatives, joining collective groups, and working towards clear goals, nurses can make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of individuals and communities. Let us harness our collective power and knowledge to build a healthier future for generations to come.

References

Brenan, M. (2023, January 10). Nurses Retain Top Ethics Rating in U.S., but Below 2020 High. https://news.gallup.com/poll/467804/nurses-retain-top-ethics-rating-below-2020-high.aspx

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2021). The future of nursing 2020–2030: Charting a path to achieve health equity. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi:https://doi.org/10.17226/25982.