Participate in health policy and advocacy projects

As NSNA Leaders, students learn practice essential leadership skills by participating in the NSNA Health Policy and Advocacy program. The following my be helpful when students approach faculty to explore the possibility of having their NSNA participation partially fulfill course requirements or independent study elective. Refer to the course syllabus to determine if the objectives can be met by participating in NSNA's activities. Guidelines for leadership activities and learning objectives are available for all of NSNA's programs.

health policy and advocacy project activities

  • Establish a Health Policy and Advocacy Committee, or;
  • Participate in a committee already established.

By participating in this activity, you will be able to:

  • Identify and list your leadership attributes;
  • Evaluate your personal capacity for leadership;
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the complex role organizations play in policy development.

start-a-committee learning objectives:

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Nursing students attend the Naloxone training at the 2018 NSNA Annual Convention in Nashville, TN.
  • Prepare an agenda and to run (or participate in) a committee meeting;
  • Present written and verbal reports of progress made toward reaching committee goals;
  • Determine/select one or two relevant health policy and advocacy issues to address;
  • Learn about the topics ad explore other student and nursing organizations that are addressing these issues;
  • Plan and implement a Health Policy and Advocacy project;
  • Articulate the outcomes expected and evaluate the project to determine if outcomes were accomplished; 
  • Practice collaboration among peers.

Health policy and advocacy projects 
school chapter committee responsibilities*

  1. Evaluate the effectiveness of health policy and advocacy activities of recent past, e.g., voter registration drives, and the importance of political involvement for nurses and nursing students.
  2. Review resolutions relevant to health policy and advocacy that were passed at the school, at your state convention, and at NSNA's Annual Convention.
  3. Identify tw0 or three goals and a theme for the year.
  4. Become familiar with NSNA and state contest and applications.
  5. Read NSNA's Health Policy and Advocacy Guidelines.
  6. Determine one or two topics related to health policy and advocacy to address for the semester or academic year; resolutions passed at the state and NSNA Annual Conventions are excellent reference sources.
  7. Plan a Health Policy and Advocacy project based on the topics selected. 
  8. Collaborate with other campus groups and community groups that are working on the same or similar issues.
  9. Communicate with state and school Health Policy and Advocacy chairs in your state.
  10. Publicize health policy and advocacy activities by providing news items for your school and state newsletters, post on your school and state website.
  11. Implement the project.
  12. Evaluate the effectiveness of the project.
  13. Submit a project for the NSNA Health Policy and Advocacy Award
*See your chapter bylaws for the Legislation Education Committee role and responsibilities specific to your school or state chapter.
For a list of attributes and competencies for future nurse leaders and managers, click here.
For a printable version of the information above, click here.