NR 506 Week 4 Discussion, Challenges in Lobbying

Discuss the best approach for communicating with your local legislator or policymaker in your policy-priority issue. What is your rationale for this approach? Dr. Sargent and classmates Legislators have recognized the evolving role of the nurse in the healthcare system as we are on the frontline and first contact for many patients seeking help and education. Legislators or policymakers are more likely to support positions that their constituents feel strongly about. Thus, nurses need to embrace their roles as leaders in the healthcare system and in the political arena and use it to influence and be the voice of the public and advocate for initiatives. In last week’s discussion thread, I mentioned that effective communication with a legislator can be conducted through various forms of media. A legislator can be contacted via email, letters, telephone calls, in-person meetings, or even tweets. However, there is no better way to display a passion for an issue then by taking the time to have a face-to-face meeting with your legislator. To implement a policy regarding mental health illness and advocate for budget- neutral solutions I will be contacting Congressman David Joyce, who represents the 14th district of Ohio.