One prominent legislator who embodies the dual role of nurse and policymaker is Senator Maureen Walsh from Washington State.

One prominent legislator who embodies the dual role of nurse and policymaker is Senator Maureen Walsh from Washington State. Senator Walsh’s background as a nurse brings invaluable firsthand experience and insight to the legislative process, particularly in matters concerning healthcare delivery. As a nurse-legislator, Senator Walsh serves as a powerful advocate for improving healthcare outcomes and access for all citizens.

Senator Walsh’s sponsorship and support of various healthcare-related bills underscore her commitment to advancing policies that enhance healthcare delivery. For example, she has championed legislation aimed at improving mental health services, expanding access to healthcare in rural areas, and strengthening patient safety measures. By leveraging her expertise as a nurse, Senator Walsh brings a unique perspective to the crafting and implementation of healthcare policies, ensuring they address the diverse needs of communities across Washington State(Washington State Legislature, n.d.).

In addition to her legislative efforts, Senator Walsh’s advocacy for healthcare reform extends beyond the confines of Capitol Hill. Through public outreach, community engagement, and collaboration with healthcare stakeholders, she works tirelessly to raise awareness about pressing healthcare issues and mobilize support for meaningful reforms. Senator Walsh’s multifaceted approach to healthcare advocacy underscores the critical role that nurse-legislators play in shaping the future of healthcare delivery, driving positive change, and improving the well-being of individuals and communities alike (Campinha-Bacote, 2019).

References

Washington State Legislature. (n.d.). Senator Maureen Walsh. Retrieved from https://leg.wa.gov/Senate/Senators/Pages/walsh.aspx

Campinha-Bacote, J. (2019). The intersection of culture and legislative advocacy in the context of nursing. Journal of Cultural Diversity, 23(2), 46-49.

Reply 2 (Melvin)

I reside in the state of Arizona, and the PAC that represents our state nurses association was able to get THREE registered nurses elected to the state legislature in 2023, which is a resounding success for Arizona nurses. Julie Wiloughby, a nurse and member of the Republican Party elected to Legislative District 13, Dr. Selina Bliss, a nurse and member of the Republican Party elected to Legislative District Number 1, and Eva Burch, a nurse and member of the Democratic Party elected to Legislative District 13. (Stevens, 2023). This is critical to note because before 2022, the Arizona state legislature had 0 registered nurses that were elected, and these 3 candidates represented all the candidates the PAC was most hopeful for success. It is important that we have legislatures that have registered nurses in them in order to ensure that laws and rules are being passed that fundamentally elevate the nursing profession and it’s priorities. For example, the AzNA PAC was able to successfully propose and get bills on carcinogenic surgical smoke, assault on healthcare workers, and the nursing shortage voted on in recent legislative sessions, in no small part to these three nurses who were able to get elected (AzNA, n.d.). I personally was not aware that we had any, let alone 3, state legislatures that are registered nurses, it definitely makes me feel better represented as a nurse myself, and it makes me more confident that there are lawmakers considering bills that affect my job that are nurses themselves, giving them a unique insight that is lost of lawmakers who are laypeople to the health care world.

References

AzNA. (2022). AZNA PAC Endorsement Information. Arizona Nurses Association. Retrieved April 24, 2024, from https://www.aznurse.org/page/PACendorsement

Stevens, C. (2023, January). Elections are over: We have a nurse in the House & Senate! healthecareers.com. Retrieved April 24, 2024, from https://www.healthecareers.com/oknurses/nurse-resources/arizona-nurse-january-2023/elections-are-over-we-have-a-nurse-in-the-house-senate

reply 3 (balwinder)

Aileen Gunther is a member of the New York State Assembly (NYSA) representing district 100. She has been a nurse for 29 years. Her proposed bills, A00181 and A00108A, addressed safe staffing for patient needs in hospitals and nursing homes, as well as the consecutive hours worked by nurses and other medical personnel (NYSA, n.d.). When her husband, the previous occupant of the seat, passed away, a special election was called to elect her. She began serving in this capacity in 2003. She sponsored measures to prevent burnout among nurses and other medical professionals.

Advocates are needed in the medical field. Nurses represent patients’ and families’ interests. Nurses must speak up for their peers as well. In order to enact legislation pertaining to nurses, political support is required. To promote the needs of nurses, groups like the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) collaborate with lawmakers. Local advocacy starts with the patient at the bedside and spreads throughout the neighborhood (Helbig, 2018). Nursing in New York State is aided by the NYSNA. They collaborate with the local legislators to enact legislation pertaining to the New York health bill, safe working conditions, and patient safety. The Nurse Practitioner Modernization Act (NPMA) is one bill that the NYSNA worked on it. Senator Gustavo Rivera of New York State, the chairman of the Committee on Health, is the sponsor of this act. According to NYSNA (n.d.), this act allows nurse practitioners (NP) who have completed 3,600 practice hours to work independently of physicians, but NPs who have done less than that amount can collaborate with physicians. During the COVID-19 pandemic , the NPMA was helpful. Patients no longer had to wait for doctors to approve instructions in order to receive high-quality care; NPs could treat patients without the involvement of MDs.

References:

Helbig, J. (2018). Influencing health care through advocacy. Trends. In Health

Care: A Nursing Perspective. https://lc.gcumedia.com/nrs440vn/trends-in￾health-care-a-nursing-perspective/v1.1/#/chapter/4

New York State Nurses Association. (n.d.). Memorandum in support.

https://d3ovkdufrefcl9.cloudfront.net/pco/legislation/legislativeMemos/A1535

_S3056npModernizationMOS.pdf

New York State Assembly. (n.d.). Sponsored legislation.

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