Successful leadership and advocacy to optimize advanced practice nursing roles 10 th ICN NP/APN Conference Rotterdam 2018 Josette Roussel, RN, M.Sc.,M.Ed. Program Lead, Nursing Practice and Policy, CNA
Outline Canadian Nurses Association Nurse practitioner role and policy barriers Advocacy tools and successes
Canadian Nurses Association We advance the practice and profession of nursing to improve health outcomes and strengthen Canada s publicly funded, not-for-profit health system.
Who is CNA? 139,000 RN, CNS and NP members across Canada Network of Nursing Specialties Programs and services for members Canadian Nurse journal Based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Canadian member of International Council of Nurses
Vision for Nurse Practioners A. renewed and strengthened primary health-care system that optimizes the contributions of nurse practitioners (NP) to the health of all Canadians; and A system in which nurse practitioners (NP) are recognized and utilized across Canada as essential providers of quality health care. (Canadian Nurses Practitioner Initiative, 2006)
Policy and politics Nursing is a practice discipline and is a political act Protesting cuts to refugee health coverage: Nurse Practitioner Chris Bradley, 2015
Nurse Practitioners as Leaders in Health Care NP have additional legal authority to diagnose, prescribe drugs and treat patients In many settings NPs are the primary care provider In Canada, 7 million live in rural and remote communities
Nurse Practitioners as Leaders in Health Care Advanced Practice Nursing Role Demonstrate leadership as primary care providers Significantly contribute to increasing access to Health Care
Today s Issues of the NP role Uptake/acceptance Implementation of the NP role Optimizing utilization Sustainability of the NP role
Defining Policy A policy is a statement of direction resulting from a decision-making process that applies reason, evidence and values in public or private settings. Villeneuve, Shamian & Skelton-Green, 2010
CNA: Leading policy change
Values and Beliefs Action on any policy issue must be firmly grounded in a supportable set of values and beliefs Identification, validation and articulation of these basic values are important not only at the outset of the initiative (to ensure that the agenda is value based) but also in moving forward (to connect others who share those values)
Information Gathering, Research and Situational Analyses Enable us to: Ask questions Analyze the issue and options for action Determine our needs Further understand the issue and the range of policy options Examine the evidence base Environment and horizon scanning Analyze the costs of taking action and of not taking action
Clearly Define the Problem and the Issues Ask questions about: ü The problem and the surrounding issues ü The policy solution(s) ü The current context ü The relationship to our organization
Barriers and Challenges What are some of the barriers and challenges that you face in relation to the policy initiatives you would like to advance?
Moving Beyond Barriers and Challenges Nurses have an opportunity to develop leadership skills, knowledge and abilities to influence change. These are enablers to the policy process; they help us acknowledge our challenges and barriers but enable us to move forward.
Legislative Barriers to NP Practice 34 pieces of outdated federal legislation Policy research/evidence base Allies and Obstacles Strategy: Relevance, Patients First, Solution-oriented Persistence
Framing the Issue ü3 million Canadians üaccess to care üindigenous Health üno cost üreduce duplication üsave taxpayer $
Policy summary: Legislative Federal Barriers
IMPACT: Changes to federal legislation
Discussion üwhat problem are you trying to fix? üwhat is the evidence? üwhat is the potential impact? üwhat is the most convincing way to frame the ask? üwho are your partners? üwhat are the barriers? ühow will you measure success?
Lobbying Tips Know the priorities of the person you want to influence Provide credible information Give a clear message Listen well Identify common ground Understand the issue and solutions well Consider the impact on other issues Thank officials for their time!
Leadership is everyone s business! Leadership isn t a place, it s a process. It involves a set of skills and abilities that are useful whether one is in the executive suite or on the front lines, on Wall Street or Main Street, on campuses, in communities or corporations. Barry Posner
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