New Council Provides Nurses Opportunity to Impact Public Policy

Nurses influence patient outcomes at the bedside, and they can play an equally important role in shaping policy in the political arena. “With changes going on in healthcare and health policy, nurses are well-poised to affect the outcomes and help craft practice decisions, not only for patients, but for the profession as well,” says Nancy Kaser, MSN, BS, RN, ACNS-BC, NEA-BC, a clinical nurse specialist at Cleveland Clinic. “For that to happen, nursing needs to have a voice.”

The collective voice of nurses at Cleveland Clinic will now be heard. Last year, the healthcare organization created the Nursing Institute Legislative and Health Policy Council, which focuses on education, analysis and influence of political and practical issues that impact the nursing profession and delivery of healthcare. More than 80 caregivers representing a broad range of nursing — from bedside nurses to managers to leaders, regional hospitals to family health centers — joined the council, which meets six times a year.

‘We can’t step back’

The Zielony Institute announced its new Legislative and Health Policy Council at the 2014 Nursing Leadership Summit, where approximately 450 nursing leaders throughout the health system gathered in an interactive, educational forum. The summit’s theme was the voice of the nurse in the transformation of healthcare.

The keynote speaker was Rebecca M. Patton, MSN, RN, CNOR, FAAN, the past two-term president of the American Nurses Association. As ANA president, Patton met frequently with key policy leaders, including President Barack Obama and his staff as the healthcare reform bill was developed, debated and passed. During her Nursing Leadership Summit presentation, Patton urged attendees to get involved in health policy: “We can’t step back from any more pieces of legislation and the opportunities to craft them.” (To listen to Patton’s keynote address, go to clevelandclinic.org/voiceofRN.)

Kaser was one of many nurses inspired by Patton’s message, just as she had been motivated by a professor at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. “I was very lucky to have a dynamic professor on health policy,” says Kaser. “Dr. Faye Gary, EdD, RN, FAAN, sparked my interest. When the opportunity came up to join the council, I said, ‘Yes!’” She also agreed to cochair the council alongside Meredith Lahl, MSN, PCNS-BC, PPCNP-BC, CPON, Senior Director of Advanced Practice Nursing at Cleveland Clinic.

“Rebecca Patton’s keynote address got everyone energized around what policy is,” says Lahl. “She helped nurses in the room understand it is not only our right, but our obligation as citizens to advocate for our patients and our profession.”

Lahl knows firsthand the importance of getting involved. In 2013, she worked with colleagues to help pass Ohio House Bill 139, allowing clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse-midwives, certified nurse practitioners and physician assistants to admit patients to hospitals under certain conditions.

“This was my first introduction to health policy,” recalls Lahl. “It was an interesting experience, identifying stakeholders and understanding their perspectives. It was great to see everyone from different roles come to the table and agree on a position to move practice forward.” Lahl traveled to the state capitol on Feb. 18, 2014, to watch Ohio Gov. John R. Kasich sign the bill into law.

Strengthened by this experience, Lahl hopes to encourage other nurses to become advocates. She and Kaser led the first meeting of the Legislative and Health Policy Council last September. “One of our first goals is educating council members so they know how and where to get involved,” says Lahl. Attendees at the kickoff meeting were given a simple homework assignment: Find out who your legislators are at the state and national level.

During the first several meetings, the council developed a charter, established a meeting schedule and identified the need for involvement from key stakeholders, such as Cleveland Clinic’s Government Relations team and local legislators.

Council members share their experiences

The Legislative and Health Policy Council began educating its members by turning to internal experts. “We have a wealth of knowledge at our very own doorstep,” says Kaser. Representatives from Cleveland Clinic’s Government and Community Relations team discussed what they do and how nurses can partner with them. Additionally, council members will share how they’ve become involved in public policy.

One of those members is Gina Gavlak, BSN, RN, Diabetes Program Development Coordinator at Cleveland Clinic’s Lakewood Hospital. As chair of the American Diabetes Association’s National Advocacy Committee, she works closely with ADA staff and volunteers on multiple state and federal issues. She also leads the ADA’s Capitol Hill lobby days and advocacy days. “I hope to share what I’ve learned with members of our council, to learn from others and work together to get more nurses involved,” says Gavlak. In March of this year, she led the ADA’s Call to Congress event and spoke with legislators about the diabetes epidemic and the need for better medication, technologies and prevention strategies and a cure.

Council member Mary Kennedy, MBA, BSN, RN, Chief Nursing Officer of Cleveland Clinic’s Medina Hospital, also has some policy experience. She previously attended legislative committee meetings and forums hosted by the Cleveland-based Center for Health Affairs, covering such topics as the medical home model and insurance exchanges. In 2013, Kennedy completed a nine-month civic education program hosted by Leadership Medina County that’s designed to help participants better understand county issues and improve leadership skills. The highlight was a two-day trip to the state capitol, where the group met with legislators and attended a General Session of the senate.

Lahl and Kaser hope that nurses such as Gavlak and Kennedy will encourage others to get involved. “It’s imperative to have an engaged workforce that is aware of what’s going on outside our four walls that affects patient care and our profession,” says Lahl. “It’s the crux of leadership.”

The Nursing Institute Legislative and Health Policy Council is not a partisan organization: It will not run political campaigns, raise funds, deliver personal agendas or endorse political candidates. Rather, it provides important public policy information on issues relevant to nursing and healthcare.

The council informs nursing leaders on current developments in the federal and state arenas and encourages them to take action on issues that impact their ability to provide safe, accessible, quality patient care. Likewise, the council informs, engages and influences legislators on nursing agendas, professional practice standards and healthcare issues.

Five objectives of the Nursing Institute Legislative and Health Policy Council are:

• Discuss and explore legislative and regulatory processes
• Create a working relationship with Cleveland Clinic

Government and Community Relations

• Provide a forum for evidence-based policy analysis and discussion
• Establish a legislative voice for Cleveland Clinic Nursing to address nursing’s role in advancing healthcare quality and patient safety
• Create a membership that is active in professional organizations and can give voice to the specialty of nursing

Why Should Nurses Be Engaged in Policy?

This is a question that Rebecca M. Patton, MSN, RN, CNOR, FAAN, asked and answered during a keynote address at the Zielony Institute’s 2014 Nursing Leadership Summit. “We are the largest group of healthcare providers, and, more importantly, we have a front-row seat every day when we take care of our patients,” said Patton, past two-term president of the American Nurses Association.

“Nurses can explain things in a manner that individuals outside of healthcare can understand.”

Mary Kennedy, MBA, BSN, RN, Chief Nursing Officer, Cleveland Clinic Medina Hospital

“Nurses know healthcare. Legislators know about policymaking. We need to help each other.”

Nancy Kaser, MSN, BS, RN, ACNS-BC, NEA-BC, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Cleveland Clinic

“In Gallup polls nursing is rated as the most trusted profession. We are not thought of as being influential and instrumental in making decisions, but we really should be! We are at the front line of patient care.”

Meredith Lahl, MSN, PCNS-BC, PPCNP-BC, CPON, Senior Director of Advanced Practice Nursing, Cleveland Clinic

“Nurses have unique insight regarding patient care. Sharing our stories is one of the most effective ways to advocate.”

Gina Gavlak, BSN, RN, Diabetes Program Development Coordinator, Cleveland Clinic Lakewood Hospital