Advocacy Education Day: Empowering Nurses to Shape Healthcare Policy

Nurses play a pivotal role in shaping the quality of care patients receive, not only through their day-to-day work, but also by influencing healthcare policies. Pace University's Advocacy Education Day is an event dedicated to empowering nurses to engage in healthcare policy and help them learn how to effectively advocate for both their patients and their profession.

This year marked the second annual Advocacy Education Day, hosted by the College of Health Professions Lienhard School of Nursing (LSN) in collaboration with NYU College of Nursing Alumni and the Mt. Sinai Center for Nursing Research and Innovation. According to Catherine Finlayson, PhD, associate professor PhD in Nursing, and chair of the Advocacy Day planning committee, this organizational partnership allowed for a broader perspective on the role of nursing advocacy. Attendees included students, nurses, educators, and healthcare leaders who joined together to discuss the importance of advocacy in shaping healthcare systems and policies.

Farley Villarente, MSN, current PhD in Nursing student at Pace University, is a repeat attendee of the event. "As nurses, we care very much about a lot of things. Advocating for our patients is one of the many roles that we highly value. Getting involved in shaping health policy is another important way we can advocate—not just for our patients, but for our profession and healthcare as a whole."

Additionally, he shared that his attendance impacted his understanding of the policy process, "Hearing from our nursing colleagues who are doing great work in advocacy has transformed the way I see my role as a nurse, and I’m sure it will do the same for you.”

It is our moral obligation as nurses to actively engage in shaping health policies. There are numerous ways to get involved, whether through membership in professional organizations like the American Nurses Association, which advocates on our behalf at the policy level, or by reaching out to our local representatives to educate them on issues that matter to nursing, our patients, and our healthcare systems.

- Farley A. Villarente, MSN

Dr. Finlayson believes that events like Advocacy Education Day are crucial in inspiring the next generation of nurses to take on advocacy roles. "It is an opportunity to learn about nursing advocacy and hear from leaders in our profession about their successful advocacy efforts. We want students and nurses to understand that there are many ways to be advocates. Lobbying is a big part of nursing advocacy, but nurses can advocate in other ways as well. After listening to these visionaries and their advocacy efforts, students will be inspired to become advocates in their own respect."

This annual event on the New York City campus is a unique opportunity for all LSN students to engage with leaders in nursing and to witness the impact that active advocacy can have. Students are able to hear firsthand from experts and experienced nurses who are already making significant strides in advocating for the nursing profession and improving patient care.

There are many ways for nurses to be advocates. After listening to these visionaries and their advocacy efforts, [students] will be inspired to become advocates in their own respect.

- Catherine Finlayson, PhD.

This year the event focused on three main areas; Nursing Advocacy 101, Nurses in Action, and Advocacy Strategy. Speakers and panels dug into topics like Nursing Impact on AI Policy and Effective change within Institutions with the former New York State Department of Health Commissioner. The day was wrapped up with a legislator reception and lunch, where elected officials, including 19^th District New York State Senator Roxanne Persaud, shared their final remarks on engagement.

"My biggest takeaway was the realization that health policies that directly impact nurses, our working conditions, and the care we provide are often shaped by a small group of lawmakers who may not fully understand the challenges we face.” Villarente said. “These lawmakers rely on nurses to bring accurate information and informed perspectives to the table."

Students are encouraged to not only attend the event next fall but to actively engage in advocacy throughout their careers. To learn more about this event, contact nursing@pace.edu.