SVN...prn Winter 2015 Issue

NURSES at the table
Submitted by
Patty Flanagan MSN, RN-BC
SVN Board Liaison to Public Policy &
Advocacy Committee
It is an honor and a privilege for
nurses to advocate for patients
as individuals, families and
communities. Nursing is a highly
respected and trusted profession.
Patients and the public value what
nurses have to say. Nurses bring
to the table real life scenarios to
aid in the discussion of healthcare
issues.
In the day to day care of patients,
nurses are good at advocating for
individual patient needs. However,
patient advocacy goes beyond
that. Being involved in decisions
that impact the nurse’s patient
population is an important aspect
of nursing. Nurses can advocate
for patients by being involved
in decision-making committees
at their place of employment,
whether it be in an inpatient or
outpatient setting.
Nurses can advocate for families
by listening to their concerns and
needs, identifying the common
thread and acting on that need;
targeting the appropriate key
figures to address the issues and
become involved in the decisionmaking
process.
Communities can be geographic
or disease-specific populations.
Advocating for communities
includes becoming involved in
disease-specific organizations,
town boards, zoning boards,
and school boards as well as
monitoring legislation for health
care issues being discussed.
Communicating to key figures
the issues and their impact
on patients, families and
communities.
Nurses also need to be aware of
issues affecting the profession,
being aware of issues being
discussed at the nurse’s place
of employment, nursing
organizations and in legislation.
Nurses must prepare themselves
to take part in the discussions
and place themselves in positions
of influence to advocate for
patients as individuals, families,
communities and the nursing
profession.
References:
1. Burns, N., Grove, S. Understanding nursing research (5th Ed). 2011. Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders.
2. Song, J., Chung, K. Observational studies: cohort and case-control studies. Plast Reconstr Surg: 2010; 126(6): 2234-2242.
3. Framingham Heart Study. Available at: https://www.framinghamheartstudy.org/
Call for JVN Editorial Board Members
The Journal of Vascular Nursing is soliciting interested colleagues
to apply for an Editorial Board appointment.
Editorial Board members are responsible for editorial review of manuscripts
for publication in JVN and for assisting the Editor as assigned. Service on the
Editorial Board is for one year to be renewed annually at the Editor’s discretion.
Qualifications for appointment consideration include the following:
1. Registered professional nurse. Master’s degree in nursing required.
2. Vascular nursing practice experience in areas of education, practice,
administration, or research sufficient to developing considerable expertise
in the area.
3. Documented writing ability as evidenced by publication.
4. Membership in SVN for a minimum of one year.
We invite interested colleagues to submit a letter of interest, including
your fields of interest and expertise, and current curriculum vitae to
the Editor, Cindy Lewis MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, at Cynthia.lewis@aurora.
org. All applications will be reviewed.
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