Advocacy and factors that impact nurse involvement

The public trusts nurses and as such many believe that nurses should advocate for patient’s needs. If you
consider the interaction the public has with the healthcare system, the Code of Ethics and Standards of
Practice, nurses have a duty to advocate for the quality and safety of the public as it relates to health.
However, we often see policy and legislation generated and decided upon by those in political, and
corporate positions without nursing’s voice.
After completing the readings and reviewing this weeks learning materials describe at least four way nurses
can be involved in advocacy for the public. Provide a specific example that reflects each item you identify.
(ex. if you said a nurse could seek a position on a board than you should name a local board that a nurse
could become a member.) It is not easy to get involved, based on what you have learned this week, what
factors can help to motivate nurses to become advocates in the policy arena? and What are barriers may
prevent nurses from getting involved?