Collaborating for Legislative Success: Overcoming Organizational Tribalism

Abstract

Historically, the roles and responsibilities of professional nursing organizations have often overlapped, creating friction and frustration within the profession. Who is responsible for what, how will the initiative be led, and perhaps the most concerning, but unspoken challenge: who will get the credit? Colorado professional nursing organizations have been experiencing these issues for years, with no real willingness to face these challenges head on, until recently. The state Nurse Practice Act is going to sunset in 2020, and there are some clear challenges facing the profession that will have to be dealt with directly and collaboratively by nurse leaders. Without a strong, unified voice, the forces that oppose allowing professional nurses to work to the full extent of their education and experience will divide and conquer. If that happens, it isn't just nursing that loses; it is every citizen of the state who needs to access health care. Colorado nursing organizations and leaders are working to create a new and cohesive path to build strong and open partnerships designed to ensure that nursing retains and, in some ways, gains a stronger level of control over the future of the profession. This article tells how that story is beginning and how it may create an example for all states to build a cohesive legislative agenda designed to support, not only nursing leadership, but also the patients nurses serve.