Questions and Topics We Can Help You To Answer:
Paper Instructions:

Nurses are resources and educators to local legislators. Since it is a citizen led legislature, representatives can be pizza shop owners, lawyers, tech professionals or of any trade/profession and may know nothing about nursing. It is imperative that nurses have the ability and confidence to discuss and educate these representatives on the work of nurses and issues of importance to nursing and the public.

Therefore, speaking with local representatives requires some background knowledge. The ANA and your state’s professional nursing association such as the Florida Nurses Association, has many resources for the nurse when it comes to legislative advocacy. Additionally, the Florida Center for Nursing and the Florida Action Coalition has a wealth of information, statistics, and insight helpful for these critical discussions. Having the support and knowledge of these issues is crucial.

Please review the educational resources located under the Week 8 Content Area to assist and guide you for this discussion. Then, complete and submit the following:

1. Choose a health or nursing related issue or area of concern in your community or state. This could include health concerns, environmental issues, nursing issues, or legislation of importance to nurses and the public.

2. Research the issue or bill and create an “elevator speech" or "pitch” of the issue (how it relates to the nursing profession, patient outcomes, and your support or nursing's support for, or against, the issue.  Your “pitch” should be long enough to get your point across and include statements of evidence (about one minutes in length).

3. Find your local representatives and identify the committees they serve on, especially committees that are about healthcare and health policy.