Political Participation of Registered Nurses

Abstract

Level of political participation and factors contributing to participation were measured among Midwest RNs (n = 468) via an online survey (Cronbach's α = .95). Respondents reported engaging in primarily "low cost" activities (e.g., voting, discussing politics, and contacting elected officials), with fewer reporting speaking at public gatherings, participating in demonstrations, and membership in nursing organizations. Psychological engagement was most predictive (p < .001) of political participation with the dimensions of political interest, political efficacy, and political information/knowledge highly significant (p < .001). Resources (time/money/civic skills) significantly contributed to political participation (p < .001). Less than half (40%) felt they could impact local decisions, and fewer (32%) felt they could impact state or national government decisions. Most respondents (80%) indicated their nursing courses lacked political content and did not prepare them for political participation. Findings showed that nurse educators and leaders of professional nursing organizations need to model and cultivate greater psychological engagement among students and nurses.

Changes in Political Astuteness Following Nurse Legislative Day

“…Clearly, the role of nursing education is vital in enhancing political participation (AACN, 2011;Gebbie et al, 2000;Kunaviktikul et al, 2010;Vandenhouten et al, 2011). Organizational websites facilitate grassroots advocacy efforts by making available background information about current issues, sample messages, and contact information or direct links to policy makers.…”

“…Nurses who were involved in policy had political skills, information and education about policy change (Oden, Price, Alteneder, Boardley, & Ukokudom, 2000), an interest in health policy, and felt their participation would make a difference in the health of the public (Oden et al, 2000;Wilson, 2002). Similarly, in a recent study, psychological engagement (political interest, efficacy, knowledge, partisanship, family influences), resources (time, money, civic skills) and recruitment networks influenced political participation (Vandenhouten et al, 2011). Demographic factors associated with involvement in public policy include increased age (Hanley, 1987;Oden, Price, Alteneder, Broadley, & Ukokudom, 2000;Vandenhouten et al, 2011), higher educational levels, and years as a registered nurse (RN; Oden et al, 2000;Vandenhouten et al, 2011).…”

“…Strategies to enhance political involvement include continuing education offered by professional organizations about policy issues, civic knowledge, and skills. Vandenhouten et al (2011) recommended that educational efforts to increase political participation emphasize activities that include all domains of learning, are low cost, and have the potential to reach a large number of nurses. Nurse legislative days held by professional nursing organizations are one such strategy.…”

Community Health Nursing Advocacy: A Concept Analysis

“…There is also a substantial gap in public health school curriculum regarding advocacy (Hines & Jernigan, 2012). To fill the skills gap, specific course content about the political process should be integrated across nursing programs to cultivate political interest (Vandenhouten et al, 2011). Furthermore, faculty's skills development in advocacy should be supported (Radius, Galer-Unti, & Tappe, 2009).…”

Nursing Professional Organizations

“…Professional nursing organizations worldwide have mandates and processes for nurses to engage at some level in policy development (American Nurses Association [ANA], 2012a; Australian College of Nursing, 2012; Canadian Nurses Association [CNA], 2012; Royal College of Nursing [RCN], 2012). However, despite the efforts of professional nursing organizations, it is still challenging to encourage nurses to be politically active and to engage in health policy issues for a variety of reasons (Vandenhouten, Malakar, Kubsch, & Gallagher-Lepak, 2011). Cited barriers to nursing involvement in health policy include a lack of political awareness and understanding of the importance of being involved in nursing organizations, time to engage in policy development outside of nursing work, and resources to develop skills in policy participation (Boswell, Cannon, & Miller, 2005;Deschaine & Schaffer, 2003).…”