Carpe Diem: A Call to Action

Abstract

As a parent of two small children, I am often afforded the opportunity to watch the same movie time and time again for two to three weeks. One of our favorites is the tale of a young aspiring musician whose family forbids the playing of instruments, or music for that matter. This limitation was due to his great-great grandfather’s decision to leave behind his wife and child to pursue his career as a musician. The young boy's is in conflict with himself as he struggles to conceal his interest in music, his desire to be a musician, and his musical talent. His passion leads him on a magical quest to the land of his ancestors. During this journey, he encounters a person who encourages him to do whatever it takes to seize his moment. Carpe diem. Does this story not sound familiar? As nurse practitioners (NPs), this story should strike us to the depth of our souls. For decades, we have attempted to make our voices heard and to prove that we are here to answer the call as access to care, health inequities, and negative patient outcomes continue to plague our nation. We have the skills, training, and educational preparation. However, much like the aspiring musician, we are forbidden to operate within our full scope of practice. Some of us have forged ahead and seized our moment to engage in the public policy process to push NP-related legislation and state initiatives that remove barriers to full practice authority. Yet, there continues to be much road ahead of us. The current pandemic, as devastating as it has been, literally ripped the band-aid off of our health care system. The gaps in health care are astounding. The demand for health care providers has far exceeded the supply. Our help was needed but we were forbidden from full practice. All of a sudden, mountains were moved. Collaborative practice agreement requirements and state licensure requirements to practice traditionally and via telehealth were waived. Our wishes were granted because we were needed. The call was made and we answered. As the pandemic continues to linger, there has been question, and some action, about rescinding some of the waivers. Now, is the time for us to move forcefully and strategically ahead. This is an opportunity that we cannot afford to miss. We must now actively engage in the public policy process to continue to enhance our role and transform health care. We have the intellectual and social capital to do so. Now, we need the financial and political capital. How do you help increase our financial and political capital? I’m so glad that you asked. As an individual, a simple way to become engaged is by writing or calling your state elected official or a member of Congress when NP-related legislation or initiatives are being presented. Provide them with your experience. You can also attend lobbying events. Financially, you can contribute to the campaigns of elected officials who are nursing allies and to the political arms of nursing organizations. As a profession, the evidence speaks for itself that though we outnumber our physician counterparts, they outspend and out lobby us. However, we have the potential to have financial capital greater than theirs. Increasing the financial capital of nursing will assist us in influencing policy that poses restrictions on our scope at each respective level. These are a few simple ideas of how to begin engaging in the public policy process. You also have the choice to become actively engaged in your professional nursing organization’s efforts. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) has an advocacy section on its website that addresses federal and state advocacy (https://www.aanp.org/advocacy/advocacy-center) where you can monitor NP-related legislature in your state and sign up for legislative alerts. Additionally, you can actively support your state nurses’ association. Lastly, let us also encourage our students to begin engaging in the public policy process now. As preceptors and nurse educators, we can positively influence the future leaders of our profession by teaching them that there is power in our collective voices. Either way, your voice, time, and efforts are needed to continue to propel us forward. Let us not allow this opportunity to pass us by. We must seize our moment.