What Nursing Can Mean--New Followers Re-post

Nurses need to Take Care of Nurses-4

To improve political activism in nursing workforce conditions and practice issues, nurses need to be involved and aware. All levels of nursing should be involved in this process; student nurses, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses and advanced practitioners. From contact with the department of health, just in the Jacksonville area alone, the number of nurses, totals over 14,700 nursing professionals. This could be a powerful tool for improving working conditions and protecting professional practice if even a portion of these nurses become more involved and today much of this can be done through the point-and-click method.

When politicians make decisions about how nurses practice and the situations they work in, the time is now to be more aware and involved in the politics of nursing. Politicians should be educated by nurses about nursing issues.

The main feeling that many government representatives have about nurses, is that they are not organized, and that being organized is the best way to get your interests heard.

Many legislators have regular delegation meetings that often address issues and particular groups; this is one option for nurse involvement.

Helping legislators with their campaign is a good way to stimulate interest in sensitive and important nursing issues and does not require money. Congressional representative Patterson said “sweat equity” is as much or more valuable. Walking neighborhoods for a representative that is willing to listen and possibly help nurses with an issue important to you, time allowing, is an easy chore. Other options include steps as simple as stuffing envelopes or putting a sign in the yard, which he said, is often hard to get people to do.

Have well-spoken representatives (Nurses) are needed to speak in committee hearings in Tallahassee

Summertime is the key time to present issues of concern to legislators; they have recently completed the sessions for the year and are back in their home districts. This is the time to present new issues.

Know your legislators; their past successes and failures in healthcare issues, the issues they have supported or been against in the past, and know when key committee hearings are taking place.