Involvement Creates a Passion "The profession of nursing has many opportunities to become involved in legislation and regulation affecting nursing practice. Laws related to nursing practice are changed, revised or struck down every legislative session. However, the rules that guide the practice of nursing in ND are revised annually. This is an  opportunity for involvement at a grass roots level. You can testify orally, in writing, or attend the hearings to observe the process.  The involvement creates a passion and courage in nurses to influence the policy makers. It is an exciting time to be involved with nursing regulation. So many challenges and opportunities are coming our way." - Constance B. Kalanek, PhD, RN -NCSBN Fellow of Regulatory Excellence -Executive Director, ND Board of Nursing Involvement is Fundamentally Important “Having the voices of clinicians such as nurses at the table when policy is crafted is fundamentally important so that policy is not developed in a vacuum. Both arenas – practice and policy – are important, and one is not more important then the other.  There is a place for nurses in both venues.” NurseWeek, May 2009 - Mary Wakefield, RN, PhD, FAAN - Administrator, Health Resources and Services Administration Nurse Practitioners Advocate for Their Patients and Their Profession Through Involvement Nurse practitioners play a vital role in our society as health care providers and change agents.   As the country experiences a continued crisis in our health care delivery system we face the prospect of radical health reform.  Any health reform measure will increase the number of Americans who have access to health care services and will, therefore, increase demand for high quality, cost effective patient-centered care that nurse practitioners are uniquely suited to provide.   Nurse practitioners have an obligation to themselves, their patients, and their profession to remain active, informed, and engaged in the legislative and health policy development process.  Active membership in professional organizations is just one way that nurse practitioners can remain informed about proposed legislation and health policy development.  Through our professional organizations we are empowered to influence health policy development as well as legislation and to evaluate the effects that legislation and health policy have on our patients and our profession. - Penny Kaye Jensen DNP, APRN, FNP-C, FAANP - AANP President-Elect Involvement in the Legislative Process Involvement of health care professionals in the legislative process is vital to the creation of good public healthcare policy. Lawmakers need to hear from people who are in the field every day, caring for patients, dealing with insurance and delivering the health care services we all use. Getting involved is as easy as calling your local legislators, emailing them or seeing them at a community forum in your area. Or, you can come to Bismarck, meet with them at the Capitol and testify at a legislative hearing. Any level of involvement will be noticed by your legislator. Your input as a healthcare professional will be valued. Most importantly, your consistent involvement individually and through your professional organization will result in better healthcare policy. - Julie Fedorchak, Government Relations, NDNPA Lobbyist Fulfill Your Civic Duty   "Nurses are the most trusted professional in the United States.  As a trusted citizen, I encourage you to take any opportunity to fulfill your civic duty by informing yourself prior to voting (regularly) and getting involved in the political process by first researching political party beliefs and compare them to your beliefs.  This may help you decide if you can support any political party or if you choose to remain an Independent.  Then stand by your beliefs and support those beliefs by contacting legislators (state or national) about how you want them to vote on issues.  Contacts may be done by telephone calls, emails or personal visits.  You may have a large impact on the outcome of (1) elections by supporting your chosen candidates and of (2) many decisions which affect all of us as citizens.  If civic service appeals to you, consider running for an office but most importantly speak up and be heard!" - Marlene Batterberry, RN, BS, MS, Parish Nurse   Julie Fedorchak on Legislative Involvement - Julie works in government relations and was the NDNPA lobbyist during the 2008-2009 Legislative Assembly.   Wanda Rose on Nursing and Legislative Involvement - Dr. Wanda Rose is a nurse and former North Dakota Represenative. Listen to her perspective regarding nurses role in health policy.   Senator Judy Lee on Informing Legislators- Senator Lee shares the importance she finds in nurse practitioners informing legislators.   Kris Todd on Collaborating and Legislative Involvement- Kris is a practicing nurse practitioner who was active in work with SB2158. Hear about her experiences with this bill.   Cheryl Rising on Professional Organizations- Cheryl Rising is the 2008-09 NDNPA President. Listen how participation with a professional organization can support your involvement in shaping health policy that is responsive to our patient needs and our practice settings.