Introduction
An example of a nurse advocate with a strong political position is @NurseAdvocate5 on Twitter. Anne Llewellyn is a digital journalist and a nurse advocate who is engaged in the discussion about protecting the wellness of the population of Florida. In her tweet “setting expectations in a complex healthcare system,” Anne posts a link to her latest article on nurseadvocates.com that challenges the current political climate, which prevents patients from accessing high-quality and affordable health care. Thus, the advocate is engaged in a conversation about establishing a high level of care
Anne Llewellyn’s Twitter
Upon reviewing Anne Llewellyn’s Twitter feed, it becomes clear that the person is dedicated to critical social issues. For example, Anne tweeted about the understanding of pandemics and what they mean for society. This issue is highly important at this time because of the spread of the coronavirus. The tweet can be used as an informative tool for bringing the public’s attention to the misconceptions about the virus and how communities can protect themselves to avoid the pandemic. Increasing public knowledge means that there will be less panic, which is vital for ensuring effective management and prevention.
Collaborative leadership is a concept that is integral to facilitating change in healthcare policies. Importantly, interprofessional collaboration is a tool for enhanced decision-making and the delegation of responsibilities to nurses who are often excluded from the discussion about policy change. Through interprofessional education through the resources provided by the World Health Organization, Institute of Medicine, and other institutions, it is possible for nurses to be more aware of their role and value in the policymaking process.
Anne Llewellyn’s tweet regarding hospitals spending $2.5 billion on social determinant programs between 2017 and 2019 is essential for noting the role of social support within the value-based and equitable health policies. Spending on social determinant programs has been focused on such areas as education, food security, employment, and others to create an environment in which underserved populations feel supported.
The identity of a nurse advocate
The identity of a nurse advocate is important for the current practice that involves dealing not only with patients but also with nurses. The organization supports this emerging and new professional identity despite the possible challenges. Being engaged in a conversation about how to be a valuable player in protecting the rights of patients and nurses is an essential aspect of the practice. Advocacy is a process that required dedication on all levels, including the micro, meso, and macro systems.
The following is a tweet that would describe the importance of political competency for DNP students. It considers the value that politically competent nurses will have for the healthcare field. “DNP students with political competency can fulfill leadership roles in both practice and academics through navigating complex environments and organizations.”
Conclusion
Gaps in the knowledge that existed before the course was predominantly associated with the lack of understanding of how nurses can contribute to the shaping of health policies. Usually, nurses are not engaged in a decision-making process because their experiences are rarely considered. However, the course revealed that nurses should be more proactive in expressing their opinions about the established policies as well as engage communities in a conversation. Anne Llewellyn’s Twitter feed is an example of how a nurse advocate can communicate his or her opinions about the latest developments in healthcare as well as critique politicians for their lack of engagement in healthcare policies.