Nurses at the Capitol: Your Voice, Your Patients, Your Future
Podcast Episode
Have you ever felt like your concerns about the stability and sustainability of the nursing profession go ignored and unanswered? Do you wish there was a way to make a tangible difference in the challenges nurses face every day? If you said yes, you’re not alone, and our latest podcast episode is just for you.
Many of us have felt overwhelmed and uncertain about how to influence healthcare policy and advocate for essential changes. The truth is that your voice matters, and you have the power to create change through legislative advocacy. In my episode of the Nurse Converse Podcast, presented by Nurse.org, Ajay K. Gupta, a healthcare innovator and health system board chair, and I dive into why nurses must engage in legislative advocacy, how nurses can get involved, and how the Commission for Nurse Reimbursement is on a mission to transform how nursing care is valued and reimbursed.
Why Legislative Advocacy Matters
Legislative advocacy is about more than just “politics.” It’s about educating those in power about the realities seen and felt by frontline nurses. Many people, even well-meaning legislators, simply don’t grasp the complexities of the healthcare delivery system. They may not be aware of the “care deserts” forming nationwide, where access to essential healthcare services is limited or non-existent.
As Ajay, a passionate advocate for healthcare professionals, highlights in this episode, legislative advocacy is about bridging that knowledge gap. It’s about making the issues real for policymakers and decision-makers. It’s about reminding them that healthcare is a team sport and that every player, from nurses to physicians to radiology techs, deserves to be supported and valued.
How Nurses Can Get Involved in Legislative Advocacy
You’re not alone if the thought, “I’m just one nurse. What can I possibly do?” has ever entered your mind. The answer? More than you think!
Here are five ways you can get started in legislative advocacy today:
- Start Small: Talk to your colleagues, friends, and family about the issues you care about. Share your experiences and explain why these issues matter to you and why they should care about them, too.
- Find Your Voice: Identify the issues that resonate most with you. Whether it’s fair reimbursement, safe staffing ratios, improving working conditions, or a specific aspect of patient care and advocacy, choose a cause you’re passionate about.
- Connect with Organizations: Organizations like the CNR and others provide opportunities for nurses to get involved and learn the legislative advocacy ropes. One example is the CNRs Legislative Task Force, which provides resources, training, and opportunities to connect with other advocates and educate legislators. They can help you develop your advocacy skills and connect you with other like-minded nurses and healthcare professionals.
- Engage with Your Legislators: Don’t be afraid to contact your elected officials. Share your stories, concerns, and ideas. Remember, they are there to serve their constituents, and your perspective as a healthcare insider is invaluable.
- Support Nursing Advocacy Organizations: Consider donating to or volunteering with organizations like CNR that are working to advance the nursing profession and bring stability and sustainability to the workforce. Even small contributions can make a significant impact.
What is the Commission for Nurse Reimbursement?
The Commission for Nurse Reimbursement (CNR) is a beacon of hope for nurses seeking to address the profession's critical issues. Co-founded by nursing innovator Rebecca Love and seasoned anesthesia and political advocate Sharon Pearce, the CNR aims to transform how Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance reimburse nursing care and how hospital systems value nurses.
Why is this work crucial? Because the current economic model for nursing is failing us. We’re witnessing a mass exodus of seasoned nurses and alarming early career burnout and turnover rates. The disturbing number of nurses leaving the profession within the first two years of licensure signals a problem deeper than the natural progression of age-related retirement. CNR recognizes that fair reimbursement for nursing services is not a cure-all. Still, it is a vital step towards acknowledging the actual value of nursing nursing and creating a sustainable future for the profession.
The Future of Advocacy
The future of nursing depends on us raising our voices. No other profession is better poised to fight for improvements to the healthcare delivery system, the nursing workforce, and patient care than us. Nursing advocacy organizations can’t do this work alone. They need you and can support you on your journey. Together, we can create a brighter future for nursing and the patients we serve.
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