Are there careers that combine nursing and politics?

Question:

Dear Donna,

I am ready to move away from bedside nursing. I’m also considering quitting nursing after 18 years. I love politics. Are there careers that combine nursing and politics?

Catherine

Dear Donna replies:

Dear Catherine,

Getting away from the bedside is one thing; quitting nursing is another. I have a broad view of who a nurse is and what a nurse does. So the answer to your question is yes, nurses are involved in politics across the country, and this is one more way to make a positive difference as a nurse. Read “Nurses, Politics, and Power” at http://news.nurse.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007309240023.

Many nurses hold public office positions. Here are two articles about some of them: http://news.nurse.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008110060046 and www.NurseWeek.com/news/features/01-03/campaign.asp.

Nurses also are lobbyists. Read more at www.NurseWeek.com/news/features/03-11/lobbyist_print.html and www.nightingalepolicygroup.org/nightingale.pdf.

Others are involved in the development of health, public and organizational policy. Check out the website of the Nightingale Policy Group and consider joining www.nightingalepolicygroup.org/601.html.

For more articles about nurses and politics, type “politics” in the www.Nurse.com search engine.

A great way to start is by joining the legislative committee of a nursing professional association such as the American Nurses Association — your state chapter or at the national level — or another nursing association. If you don’t belong to an association or other group, join one and get involved.

You go, girl!
Donna