With the rising concerns for healthcare and in the light of the pandemic, the voices of nurses should be represented in addressing the future of health policies. There are many ways nursing professionals can express their views in politics and influence the future of medical care, yet some may be more efficient. Advocating for adequate reforms can be done by writing letters to state representatives and congress members. In order to reach the public regarding healthcare policy-making, nurses can engage in social media.
Although both opportunities for participating in policy-making have their challenges, they can be overcome. Constructing an appropriate letter to a state representative can be overly time-consuming. Additionally, such a way of communication can be ignored if the nursing voice is not unanimous. However, since nursing is the largest profession globally, uniting to advocate for specific changes can yield significant results. The use of social media also has its potential risks. Violating the patient’s privacy or licensing body’s regulations can negatively impact one’s career (Anders, 2021). Despite that, if exercised cautiously, sharing compelling stories and working settings and conditions can persuade more people to engage in the politics of medical work.
Nevertheless, these ways of possible communication with policy-makers and the public are essential for advocating for the necessary healthcare reformations. The nursing voice should be represented for the overall well-being of society. For that purpose, the possibility to share knowledge and experience in a letter to a state representative or through social media can be addressed by nurse administration. The nursing staff can arrange meetings to be reminded of these opportunities and agree on promoting certain policies. The communication should also be acknowledged by policy-makers, organizing and promoting monthly conferences with local nursing professionals.
Reference
Anders R. L. (2021). Engaging nurses in health policy in the era of COVID-19. Nursing forum, 56(1), 89–94.