11 Most Common Ways Nurses Can Get Involved in Policymaking


Written By: Darby FaubionDarby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA

Darby Faubion is a nurse and allied health instructor with over 20 years of clinical experience. Darby lives in Louisiana and loves exploring the state’s rich culture and history. Darby has a passion for caring for veterans and a special interest in those affected by post-traumatic stress disorder. In her quest to make a difference for veterans, she founded a non-profit called “Operation Battle Buddy.” Read Full Bio »»
RN, BSN, MBA

In the ever-changing landscape of healthcare, one thing remains constant, and that is that nurses remain at the forefront by providing essential care and advocating for patient well-being. As a nurse, you are in a unique position to provide the voice that influences and shapes healthcare policies by becoming involved in policymaking. Perhaps you want to make a difference but wonder, “How can nurses get involved in policymaking?”

In this article, I will answer that question by sharing the 11 most common ways nurses can get involved in policymaking. By actively engaging in policymaking, you can help address system issues and help ensure healthcare policies reflect the true realities of nursing practice and healthcare.



What are the Most Common Ways Nurses Can Get Involved in Policymaking?

(The following are the 11 most common ways nurses can get involved in policymaking.)


WAY #1: Join Nursing Associations

One of the top ways nurses can get involved in policymaking is by joining state and national nurses’ associations. Nursing associations have members whose role is to lobby legislators to impact policy that affects healthcare administration. Once you become a member of a nursing organization, you can express an interest in being involved with issues dealing with healthcare policy. Being involved in nursing associations gives you opportunities to network with nurses and other healthcare professionals who are involved in policymaking. You may write articles, opinion pieces, or letters for your association’s publication or for local media to raise awareness of policy issues. A few examples of national nursing associations include the American Nurses Association and the American Academy of Nursing.

Throughout my nursing career, I have found that being part of nursing associations and organizations offers many benefits. I have had opportunities to become involved with advocacy training and networking opportunities with other nurses and healthcare professionals as well as policymakers. Membership in a nursing association empowers you to become more involved and have an influential role in shaping policies that affect equitable, patient-centered care.


WAY #2: Educate the Community

Community education is an important way nurses can get involved in policymaking. You can educate your community by organizing community events to educate the public about healthcare issues and current policies and help gain support for recommended policy changes. Underserved populations may be less aware of healthcare policies and their rights regarding healthcare. By engaging in volunteer work through humanitarian or volunteer organizations, you can reach underserved populations and educate them. Another excellent way to educate the community is by utilizing social media platforms to share information about upcoming legislative sessions and ways community members can become involved.


WAY #3: Write Letters to Representatives

Writing letters to representatives is another one of the excellent ways nurses can get involved in policymaking. Writing letters helps increase awareness of nursing issues in legislative arenas and provides a direct line of communication between you and policymakers where you can share firsthand insights and experiences. You can also use letters to highlight challenges and issues in healthcare that lawmakers have little or no knowledge about. When you take the time to write letters to representatives, it helps build relationships with legislators, making it easier to become an advocate for future policy recommendations or changes.


WAY #4: Attend Legislative Sessions

Legislative sessions offer several activities through which you may influence healthcare policy. For example, you can observe proceedings to gain insights into how laws are debated and created, then report back to colleagues and professional organizations to discuss what you learn and plan advocacy actions. You may have opportunities to testify during committee hearings and share your experiences and expertise to inform lawmakers about how proposed legislation may impact healthcare and the nursing profession. Many legislative sessions include press conferences, rallies, and other events where you can show your support or opposition to issues related to healthcare policies. Additionally, you can advocate for policies related to working conditions, patient care, and other issues that impact the healthcare system by presenting personal stories, data, and your personal opinions.


WAY #5: Testify Before Committees

Another of the top ways nurses can get involved in policymaking is by testifying before committees. Your testimony can directly influence legislators by providing personal insight and firsthand accounts of how current policies impact the healthcare system and patient care. Your knowledge and practical experience can help lawmakers understand the implications of their decisions on policies. Sharing your personal stories and opinions helps make issues more relatable to policymakers, which increases the likelihood of them advocating for changes. Your testimony can inspire legislators and policymakers to act on critical issues that lead to new bills and policies or amendments to existing ones.


WAY #6: Consider Running for a Local, State, or National Office

There are several ways nurses can get involved in policy-making by running for a local, state, or national office. One of my friends is a licensed family practice physician who is now a state congressman. Another of my friends is a mental health nurse practitioner who is the president of a school board in her hometown. The first step is to decide at what level you wish to get involved in politics: local, state, or national. Attend town hall meetings and community events where you can meet constituents and listen to their concerns, as well as have opportunities to share your visions with them. Meet with other healthcare professionals and community leaders involved in political organizations to build a support network.


WAY #7: Make Contributions to Evidence-Based Practice

Evidence-based practice in nursing can significantly influence policymaking. You can get involved in policymaking through evidence-based practice contributions by engaging in research projects that address healthcare issues and sharing research results to influence policymakers. Consider working with interdisciplinary healthcare researchers to produce comprehensive studies related to proposed policies or to develop evidence to support your proposal for a new policy or policy change. Finally, meet with legislators and policymakers to explain the findings of your research and advocate for policies based on your evidence.


WAY #8: Serve on National Boards

There are several national boards that influence healthcare policy and nursing practices. One of the ways nurses can get involved in policymaking is by serving on one (or more) of these boards. For example, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) provides a platform through which state boards of nursing collaborate on regulatory issues and advocate for policies that promote high standards of nursing care and ensure patient safety. The American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) provides professional development, research, advocacy, and leadership to influence healthcare policy and advance nursing leadership. Also, the American Nurses Association (ANA) advocates for nurses at the national level by setting standards for nursing practice, promoting the rights of nurses, and influencing healthcare policy.


WAY #9: Develop Relationships and Collaborate with Lobbyists

Getting to know lobbyists is an excellent way to create opportunities to be involved in policymaking. Look for lobbyists who share similar priorities and objectives with you, as this ensures you are working toward the same goals. Accompany lobbyists to meetings with policymakers and legislators so you can present comprehensive information on healthcare issues by presenting a united front. Also, work with lobbyists to coordinate advocacy campaigns related to healthcare.

As a nurse, I take the responsibility of being an advocate seriously, and I believe one of the ways nurses can advocate for patients and the profession is by getting involved with policymaking at some level. For example, I once worked for a company that owned several healthcare facilities. The company’s administrators and top executives had close relationships with lobbyists. I was offered the opportunity to meet with some legislators and lobbyists to share insight from the frontline of nursing administration. One of the key topics in one of our meetings was safe nurse-patient ratios. Although data was important to see and review, my experience as a bedside nurse and a nurse leader helped bring attention to the importance of safe nurse-patient ratios from the view of clinical nurses. Speaking to lobbyists about issues of such importance was a rewarding experience.


WAY #10: Stay Informed About Legislative Policies that Impact Nursing Practice

The most effective tool for change is education, and nurses who stay informed about legislative policies that impact nursing care can become influential in making changes happen. You can subscribe to legislative notifications to keep up with scheduled committee meetings where policies are on the agenda. Check the websites of government bodies such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Department of Health and Human Services to find out if there are new updates on healthcare regulations. Educating yourself about current legislative policies and proposed new legislation gives you an edge when it comes to lobbying for things that are important to you.


WAY #11: Support Candidates

Another of the top ways nurses can get involved in policymaking is to support local candidates who advocate for improvements to healthcare policies. Talk to candidates about their ideas for improving healthcare policies and access to healthcare services, and offer them insight from your personal experience as a nurse. Volunteer to become part of election campaigns to help ensure candidates with the same values and goals as you get into office where they can make a difference in healthcare policies.

Years ago, I worked with a family practice physician who was very keen on politics and how policies impact healthcare. I had an opportunity to support him in his race for a congressional seat. Today, he is a congressman and a strong advocate for patients and healthcare professionals. It was truly a privilege to work alongside him through his campaign. Now that I can see he followed through with his promises, it truly made the effort even more worthwhile!



My Final Thoughts


Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system, which is why your unique experience and insights are valuable when it comes to driving meaningful change. By becoming involved in policymaking, you can help shape a more effective, equitable, patient-centered healthcare system. Many nurses are interested in policymaking, but the question is, "How can nurses get involved in policymaking?”

In this article, you learned the 11 most common ways nurses can get involved in policymaking. As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, nurses who are actively involved in policymaking will be instrumental in shaping a better system. As a nurse involved in policymaking, you can contribute to better healthcare and find new ways to advance your career!



List Of Sources Used For This Article


1. American Nurses Association
2. American Academy of Nursing
3. National Council of State Boards of Nursing
4. American Organization for Nursing Leadership


Darby Faubion, RN, BSN, MBA
Darby Faubion is a nurse and allied health instructor with over 20 years of clinical experience. Her work history includes clinical experience in pediatrics, mental health, addiction and behavioral disorders, geriatrics, wound management, and communicable disease. Darby has worked in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health and hospice agencies. Darby also has experience as a nursing and allied health educator at both community college and university levels. Her love for nursing and nursing education led to her becoming a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach.