Out of the Classroom
and into the Mix
Active Learning About Health
Policy and Politics
Karen Kelly, EdD, RN, NEA-BC
Associate Professor & Coordinator,
Continuing Education
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
School of Nursing, Department of Primary
Care and Health Systems Nursing
Objectives


Examine the use of “political activities”
as a learning methodology related to
health policy and politics.
Discuss the feedback of graduate
students related to their engagement
in “political activities.”
Nurses and politics….

While nurses represent 1
in 50 voters, only a
minority of nurses are
political activists or even
members of a single
professional organization.
Nurses and politics….

Say the word
“politics” to a
cross-section
of nurses and
their eyes
will roll….
AACN’s “Essentials of Master’s
Education….”

“Most often, policy processes and systemlevel strategies yield the strongest influence
on…broad determinants of health. Being
accountable for improving the quality of
healthcare delivery, nurses must understand
the legal and political determinants of the
system and have the requisite skills to
partner for an improved system” (AACN,
2011, p. 20).
Why is health policy important?
Nursing must be a visible player in
shaping health policy: If you are not
at the table, you are on the menu!
At Southern Illinois University
Edwardsville School of Nursing
The faculty have chosen to present this
content in a core course:
HEALTH POLICY AND ADVANCED
PRACTICE NURSING
3 hour graduate course
Also a 3 hour course in health policy & health
care finance in new doctoral program.
Assumptions of the course

Politics and policy are inseparable
– Policy is a plan to achieve a goal
– Politics is a process, involving human
interaction, by which policy is created
and implemented
– Health policy is a plan that uses the
political process to address the health of
a population: global, national, regional,
state-wide, local
Assumptions of the course


Nursing is engaged in two levels of
politics: professional and legislative/
regulatory
These two elements are intertwined:
professional politics, as exercised
through nursing organizations, is a
force to shape legislative/regulatory
politics
Assumptions of the course

Active participation in professional
nursing organizations provides the
most effective means for nurses to
engage in shaping health policy
through legislative and regulatory
bodies
Assumptions of the course


Governmental regulatory bodies are
shaped by legislative processes (e.g.,
funding for state department of public
health)
Nongovernmental regulatory bodies
(e.g., the Joint Commission) are highly
political
Assumptions of the course


Political and policy activism requires
well informed activists.
The most effective & efficient way of
gathering information related to health
policy and politics is through active
membership in professional nursing
organizations.
Health policy course


Required of all students in the
graduate program in nursing
Content is offered & discussion is
conducted both in classroom and
online: hybrid course meets in class 46 times each semester; summer
course is online
Health policy course



Students complete a self-assessment
at the start of the course.
Political Astuteness Inventory adapted
from a 1990 book by Goldwater &
Zusy
Reprinted in chapter by Kelly in YoderWise text
Sample items from inventory
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
I am registered to vote.
I know where my voting precinct is located.
I voted in the last general election.
I voted in the last two elections.
I recognized the names of the majority of
candidates on the ballot and was acquainted
with the majority of issues in the last
election.
6. I stay abreast of current health issues.
Health policy course


Early discussions focus on the “why”
and “what” of health policy?
Exploration of role of professional
nursing organizations in shaping
health policy through efforts of
members/citizen lobbyists &
professional lobbyists
Engaging in political activities

Students choose from a menu of
activities, which vary by time of year
and by political cycles (election year
vs. not an election year). These
activities require structured reports.
Activities are awarded point values
that count toward students’ grades.
Engaging in political activities

Students are encouraged to attend
one activity with the instructor: local
nursing association/SON legislative
night, nurse political action day,
selected nursing organization
meetings.
Activities include…


Nursing organization meetings where
health policy or legislative matters are
discussed (excludes nursing unions)
Legislative body meetings: state
legislature, county board, city council
Activities include…



Regulatory bodies (usually state level):
state board of nursing, Illinois Center
for Nursing (state government body),
county board of health
Candidate campaigns during election
cycles
National political party conventions
Activities include…



Interviews with legislators, state
senator or state representative or
members of Congress, health care
leaders
Letters to the editors of local
newspapers, national news magazines
Others opportunities that present
themselves during the semester
Activities result in…


Brief reports that summarize event
and offer a reflection of what was
learned and any emotional or cognitive
responses to the event (the “aha!”
moment)
Instructor preview of letters to the
editor for editing/accuracy
Outcomes….



Typical range of scores on first
assessment using the Political
Astuteness Inventory: 4-15
Typical range of scores on second
assessment using the Political
Astuteness Inventory: 17-29
Possible scores: 0-40
Outcomes….




“Medicare and Medicaid: I learned so much
about [this]!”
“This has been quite eye-opening.”
“This class made me realize how important
it is to become part of the policy making
process.”
“This class opened my eyes….I have also
been educating my friends, family, & coworkers.”
Conclusions



Students perceive themselves as
having greater understanding of
health policy concepts.
Students assess their knowledge of
political/policy basics as greater at the
end of the semester.
25-50% of each class plan to join a
nursing organization to “get active.”
QUESTIONS?????