Abstract | Nurse Leader Advocacy

Rachel Culpepper, DNP, RN, CENP 

As nursing leaders, we can play a critical role in shaping health care policy and practice, particularly at the federal level. Nurse leader advocacy efforts are essential in addressing pertinent issues such as health care access, and the quality and safety of care delivery. As the health care landscape evolves, nurse leader involvement in federal advocacy becomes increasingly important as we possess a unique perspective on the health care system. We are often at the forefront of patient care and understand the complexities of clinical practice and the challenges faced by nurses throughout the care continuum.  

Nurses and other health care professionals are under-represented in Congress. Therefore, elected representatives need to hear from experts in the field to understand the gaps in care, barriers to patient access and inefficiencies within the health care system. In the area of workplace violence against health care workers, I have found through my experiences that many policymakers are unaware of the implications that violence has in our workplace and how it contributes to workforce shortages. Our insights can inform legislation that promotes better health care delivery, leading to improved patient outcomes. This year I had the opportunity to participate in a Senate briefing in Washington, D.C. on the Safety from Violence for Healthcare Employees (SAVE) Act. I had the privilege to sit on a panel and represent nurses across the nation. I provided data depicting the prevalence of workplace violence and noted how federal consequences would deter the behaviors seen in our hospitals. This violence feeds into the overall health care workforce shortage, causing more strain on the health care system; policy changes could help to reduce this strain.