We look forward to seeing you at the Café for another robust discussion!
Now is the Time: Nurses as Change Agents
In the whirlwind of the first 100 days of the new political administration in the US, political shifts are unfolding with dizzying speed. Globally, trends are the same following a super-election cycle in 2024. Policies impacting healthcare, equity, and human rights are emerging and evolving faster than most of us can track — leaving many nurses feeling overwhelmed, sidelined, and potentially feeling powerless. But now, more than ever, is the time for us to act.
Historically, nursing has been undervalued in political arenas. Despite our unmatched proximity to the human condition we remain underrepresented in decision-making spaces. This professional invisibility reinforces the myth that we are not “policy people.” Yet, our silence comes at a cost.
Drawing from Cabrera’s Systems Thinking, nurses must see beyond the bedside and recognize the interconnected structures influencing our patients' lives. Understanding the complexity of social issues through the lens of systems thinking guides us to accurately identifying the problem to achieve best outcomes. Applying the four rules of DSRP, (Distinctions, Systems, Relationships, and Perspectives) empower us to appreciate a problem in a non-linear viewpoint that more accurately models reality. For nurses to become full partners in policy reform learning how to apply the tools of systems thinking to complex adaptive systems such as healthcare will vault NPEs into a role that is meaningful and essential to the reform playing field (Wen et al., 2022). Nurses are bound by a social contract to see beyond the bedside and recognize the interconnected structures influencing our patients' lives. Virtually all social issues relate to healthcare policy, such as affordable housing, clean water, and seatbelt laws. To change outcomes, we must engage upstream — at legislative levels.
Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Theory reminds us that belief in our capacity to effect change is essential for action. Nurses are already change agents — every shift, we make critical decisions that impact lives. Legislative advocacy is simply an extension of that power. With the right support, practice, and mentorship, we can — and must — believe in our capacity to lead policy change.
You don’t have to do everything. But you can do something. Because if we wait until we feel powerful to act, we never will. It is through action that power is built. Take the first step and join us for Saturday’s Café.
Check out this month’s guest speaker:
Rhiannon Morales (nee Ripley) will speak to the value of working with nurses as advocates and expert witnesses from the perspective of a legislative aid.
Rhiannon is a dedicated legislative aide with over five years of experience in the California State Legislature. While earning her bachelor’s in economics, she was an active student leader advocating for affordable housing, food security, and the student voice with the campus administration. After graduation, Rhiannon served with AmeriCorps, City Year Sacramento, mentoring seventh graders and supporting educators. She joined the State Senate in 2019, where she worked in Senator Anthony J. Portantino's office, tackling diverse issues, from microplastics in water to enhancing worker benefits such as unemployment insurance for striking workers. Now pursuing a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration at CSU Sacramento, Rhiannon aims to help make the California Dream a reality for marginalized communities. She is eager and passionate to be involved in the fight to protect and strengthen the working class as a legislative aide with UFCW Western States Council.
Do you know someone who has a skill or experience to share with the NPEC? Connect them with us to speak at a future Café!
Do you or someone you know have a perspective to share with the NPEC? Submit a blog post for the NPEC website!
Join the Global Community!
The NPEC has gained awareness and interest from nurses and other healthcare professional collaborators from around the world. There are thousands of engagements from all continents, indicating broad interest for this kind of policy engagement! This is leading to new connections, and we want to facilitate them. Please join us in adding a post to this interactive map to share who and where you are, and your experiences and evolution as NPEs.
Sign in or sign up for a free Padlet account (this will allow you to edit your post, if you’d like to be able to do so in the future)
Use this link to our interactive map
Click the “+” to add your post.
Be sure to include your location, name, photo, and any relevant information or links to your experiences and evolution as a Nurse Policy Entrepreneur
Continue the Conversation in the Community Forum
This forum is your space to network, share ideas, ask questions, and grow together as a community! Introduce yourself, discuss policy-related topics, or share events where you’re showcasing your policy expertise.
Check out these resources:
Nurses SHIFT Change Grounded in Humanity. Guided by Ethics. Driven by Science. Committed to Social Justice.
League of Women Voters Health Care Reform
Nurses for America Endorsements, Publications, & more
American Nurses Association Advocacy is a Pillar of Nursing
International Council of Nurses Nursing Policy Webinar
Why nurses’ voices are needed (1 min video) Patient-Centered Futures
I remember Rhianon from when she was part of Sen Portatino's legislative team. Do you record these Grace? I would like to attend but have a 9 AM conference. Send me the link anyways and will try to say hi. Vanessa