Being a nurse is not easy. Policies and politics often seem to get in the way. One often assumes that policies and politics are an obstacle. In reality, they are opportunities for nurses to take ownership of advocacy. This book uses a hands-on approach to help nurses, across a variety of settings, develop health policy competencies that can deal with an ever-changing health and uncertain policy arena. It provides insights that will be instructive to nurses beginning their careers as well as to those who aspire to the highest levels of policy analysis, development, and implementation. The book discusses those qualities and skill sets that are needed for advocacy at the bedside and other arenas where health policy is determined. It examines the political system and opportunities for nurse involvement, and clarifies the process of identifying issues that need a policy solution. It is designed to help nurses gain a deeper understanding of the intricacies of policy development and the opportunities they have to shape policy across the broad spectrum of healthcare as well as in their communities. Four major units provide a framework for the authors approach as the chapters of the book take the reader on a journey through all the steps of the policy-making process. Each of the 15 chapters has been revised and includes recent examples of policy efforts across the broad spectrum of healthcare, from the little “p” to the big “P” written by experts on the frontline of change. Throughout each chapter, policy development is exemplified from the grand scale of global or national work, to the local work environment. Each chapter introduces a real-life situation in one of the many Policy Challenge features, which is directly related to a specific aspect of the policy process.
