Our political action plan includes:
• Shaping public opinion: Because public opinion influences the actions of legislators and regulatory bodies, we as future registered nurses need to share the knowledge we have gained from our personal experience and research about the negative impact of the nursing shortage. Present concerns to others by writing a letter to the editor of a newspaper or news magazines, give presentations during organizational meetings, etc.
• Communicating with Legislators and Officials: Personal letters reflecting thoughtful and informed opinions have a significant impact! Our expertise provides a valuable viewpoint and legislators appreciate anecdotes from our personal practice. Emailing, calling, visiting congressional/state representatives, and attending public meetings are also effective means of expressing our concerns.
We plan to contact Senator Cheryl Pflug of Washington. She serves for the Republican Party and has experience as a Registered Nurse as well as a health system adult education teacher. In her past political activity she has supported higher education for women and received the award for Outstanding Effort to Improve Washington Health Care. Some of her positions held within the Senate include the Caucus Vice Chair, '09-'10 and as a chair on a health care committee. We believe Senator Pflug will be a beneficial advocate to our bill because of her extensive activism in reforming health care, and especially her previous career as a Registered Nurse. We believe by informing her on the Nurse Education, Expansion and Development Act of 2009, we will be able to gain Republican support which could influence the success of our bill.
Information about Senator Cheryl Pflug was obtained from: http://src.leg.wa.gov/pflug/bio.htm
Another possible stakeholder we would like to educate on our Bill is Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma. Senator Coburn is a practicing pro bono physician who has served on both the House and Senate, and therefore could have a strong influence among fellow politicians he has collaborated with in the past. He has knowledge of what it would take to pass this bill in the House after it is passed in the Senate. Not only does he have a potential for a strong political impact he also has also filled the role of a health care provider and patient working closely with nurses. As a two-time cancer survivor in 2006 he is very aware of the nurse-patient ratio disparity, and the need for an increase in the number of nurse educators. He is a strong advocate for patients and the improvement of health care access and affordability. His previous teamwork with then-Senator Barack Obama is evidence of his willingness to work across party lines to support the cause of a bill he believes in.
Information about Senator Tom Coburn was obtained at: http://coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/?p=accomplishments
• Becoming involved in nursing organization efforts: For example, the American Nursing Association-Political Action Committee (ANA-PAC) lobbies for the passage or defeat of bills and supports candidates for public office. In addition, many state nursing associations also have political action organizations.
