“Nurses are good and all, however with regards to coverage, legislators wish to hear from the medical doctors.” That is an precise quote from a dialog I had with a doctor colleague as we had been discussing technique in speaking with legislators about actual coverage change in end-of-life care. My emotional response was swift as I processed disbelief, anger, after which curiosity. I needed to ask myself if this doctor was fallacious or if they only offered me with a painful dose of reality–one that should change.

Most nurses I’ve met are good folks. I’d additionally describe us as self-sacrificing, sensible, strategic, persistent, revolutionary, analytical (insert your personal optimistic adjectives) and but, regardless of the big job of utilizing our vital considering skills, sensible expertise and evidence-based apply to save lots of and enhance lives, I typically hear us framed as “good” professionals. Now we have to remodel the dialog across the qualities of a nurse and embrace our highly effective function as changemakers.

I wish to problem you to consider who you’re and what makes you a fantastic nurse advocate. I’m a 19-year-old CNA who desperately needs to be a nurse however passes out on the sight of blood. I’m a 23-year-old LPN who was requested to affix a hospice company as a result of I used to be identified for offering nice high quality end-of-life care in a talented nursing facility. I’m a 26-year-old ADN ready RN recruited to guide as a Director of Nursing. I’m a 29-year-old BSN ready RN who’s pulling arterial traces within the ICU. I’m a 34-year-old Acute Care NP pupil inserting the arterial traces within the ICU. I’m a 37-year-old palliative care NP writing the plan of take care of sufferers dying of COVID. I’m a 38-year-old who earned a Physician of Nursing Follow by advocating for dying sufferers with legislators. My story is over 20 years of shared experiences with sufferers, households, and colleagues. It contributes a strong voice to advocacy, simply as your distinctive, compelling, and significant story does, too.

I wholeheartedly imagine that collectively, we will enhance our healthcare system, however it can require ongoing work educating one another, our colleagues, and the general public concerning the occupation of nursing. With the Colorado legislative session upon us, I’m grateful for the alternatives that the Colorado Nurses Affiliation has supplied for engagement and networking, figuring out that I’m not alone on this effort. Let’s proceed to indicate up for each other and work collectively to assist others perceive the complicated and influential function of nurses. Our full experience deserves to be acknowledged and valued by our colleagues and policymakers, as a result of we’re a lot greater than good.

Ashley D. Fry, DNP, APN, AGACNP-BC, ACHPN