Nurses spend a lot of time with patients and their opinions are an important when it comes to decision making in healthcare policy. We, as nurses need to understand policy making so that we can become active advocates for our patients. Participation in Policy Making To actively participate in policy making, the nurse can join professional organizations or run for an elected position in the local, state or federal level. There are various professional organizations for the RNs and APRNs to be actively involved in, for example: the American Nurses Association, Emergency Nurses Association, and the American Academy of Nursing. Professional organizations ensure that any policy that is implemented is effective and favors the nurses and the patients. (DeLeskey, 2003). Another opportunity to participate in policy making is through the workplace. The RNs and APRNs are professionals who are in a position and have the capacity to influence the existing and future healthcare delivery programs. The nurses can promote the policies that promote quality care and decline the policies that do not promote quality health in their places of work (Law, 2016). Another way to be involved in policy review is to run for an office position. The nurse can hold office in the local, state, or federal level. Currently, three nurses are serving in Congress, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood, and Congresswoman Cori Bush who can serve as examples to other nurses (American Nurses Association). Challenges The membership process including fees charged by professional organizations can be a challenge and may hinder many nurses from joining organizations. This can be solved by explaining the steps needed and how the membership funds are utilized. Sometimes the organizations hold live meetings that can limit the nurses due to location and limited ability to attend. Another challenge is that nurses view nursing advocacy as too complicated and intimidating. This can be overcome by getting involved in smaller ways for example alerting the public and informing them of the policies that will impact their healthcare (Law, 2016). Communication Strategies that lead to better communication of the existence of these opportunities include training the nurses to better understand their roles and the effect they have on public health policy. Good leadership will also give the nurses a chance to review policies and give their feedback on certain health policies. In order to communicate these opportunities, nurses could form or join social media groups on Facebook, twitter, and Instagram m where they can spread the information on why it’s essential to be involved in policy making and review and how to become an advocate. Also, nurses who are not yet members of their State Nurses Association, could be notified of the additional benefits and how their participation is important in affecting the making of health policies. Another strategy is to involve the media and use them to advertise and bring the information to the public. This will allow the public to become aware of the current healthcare issues, and impact what issues are put on the political agenda (Law, 2016). Resources. American Nurses Association. (n.d). Nurses Serving in Congress. Retrieved July 21, 2021, from Nurses Serving in the U.S. Congress | ANA Enterprise (nursingworld.org) American Nurses Association (ANA). (n.d.). Advocacy. Retrieved September 20, 2018, from https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/advocacy/ DeLeskey, K. (2003). Factors affecting nurses’ decisions to join and maintain membership in professional associations. Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing, 18(1), 8–17. https://doiorg.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1053/jpan.2003.18030008 Law, M. (2016). Making Your Voice Heard. How Nurses Can Advocate for Improved Care--at Any Level. ONS Connect, 31(3), 10–14. Lewinski, A. A., & Simmons, L. A. (2018). Nurse Knowledge and Engagement in Health Policy Making: Findings from a Pilot Study. Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 49(9), 407–415. https://doiorg.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.3928/00220124-20180813-06 Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.