Can a nurse have a political future? What can a working nurse bring to the table of political discourse in these challenging times? Should healthcare issues be solely the purview of lawyers and businessmen?
Some feel that no other professional is more hands-on involved in healthcare than today’s hard-working nurses. Chief among them is Vermont State Representative Kathleen Keenan. She insists that nursing has given her a clear perspective. "My work as a nurse has brought me close to my constituents and opened my eyes to the issues impacting them the most,” said Keenan. For those considering making the transition, she adds, “It is a wonderful opportunity to set public policy.”
Having held political office since 1989, and worked as a nurse since 1961, Keenan lists the many transferable skills that have helped her survive in the political arena. These include strong communication, critical thinking, teamwork and an "up-for-anything" attitude.
Representative Donna Howard, a former RN who has served in the Texas House of Representatives for six years, describes nursing as "invaluable" to her career—especially in learning to work with a multidisciplinary team. "I credit my educational preparation for the way that I approach issues," said Howard. She is committed to nursing workforce issues and co-authored "Texas Nursing: Our Future Depends on It — A Strategic Plan for the State of Texas to Meet Nursing Workforce Needs of 2013."
"We built a coalition of stakeholders to look at workforce issues, and that allowed us to be successful in what we achieved," said Howard. "We were able to increase funding significantly to increase opportunities to get nurses into the pipeline and graduate nurses, not only at the entry level but at the master’s level, to help address the nursing faculty shortage."
Another proponent of nurse turned politician is Denise Grimsley. She served in the Florida House of Representatives for eight years and notes that her nursing education and patient care experience helped to better serve her constituents. "The nursing background gives me the ability to listen to people to try and understand their issues, which has made me a more effective legislator," said Grimsley.
Last year, the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) joined forces with California political strategist Mary Hughes to create The 2012 Project. This national, nonpartisan campaign seeks to place more women in legislative office (at the Congressional, state, and local levels). Its goal: to identify and engage accomplished women aged 45 and older from fields traditionally underrepresented in government—like nursing and healthcare.
Well-established career women who are nearing the end of their family responsibilities can now look for new ways to apply their energies in establishing policy affecting healthcare professionals. CAWP encourages them to "Run for office in 2012!"
If you’re a nurse, RN or PA (Physician’s Assistant) and have a strong desire to apply your hands-on experience to the legeislative process in your city, county or state, contact the Center for American Women and Politics.
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