I need to respond to each student discussion post following the rubric. Also respond to the question the teacher asked. I have proved the topic. How I answered it and what the teacher asked. you can respond to each student with positive feedback with reference. Topic: Political Competence 1. Can you identify areas in your own political competence that require growth? 2. What will you do to address these areas? 3. What two policy activities can you plan to achieve within the next 18 months? What barriers might hinder your progress? My response Political Competence Nurse leaders must be politically competent, especially those pursuing advanced roles. Over the years, I have developed an unwavering pillar in evidence-based practice and organizational change. However, I still appreciate that some areas require growth. Areas in Political Competence that Require Growth I need to consider building my policy advocacy skills, particularly at the legislative level. Despite my comfort and confidence in engaging in policy discussions at the organizational level, there is still room for improvement. I have limited experience collaborating directly with policymakers. I find it challenging to lobby for policy initiatives. Additionally, I have limited experience in coalition building across departments and interdisciplinary teams. According to Crowder et al. (2022), to effectively manifest political competence, one must forge coalitions and alliances beyond the nursing niche and consider seeking administrators, physicians, and community stakeholders. However, I have not consistently interacted with professionals outside of nursing. Efforts to Address these Areas I am eager to participate in any workshops and webinars offered by professional organizations. Wright et al. (2024) observe that such organizations provide virtual, in-person, and on-demand formats that I can rely on to support my professional development and advocacy skills. Moreover, I will seek mentorship programs from nurse leaders who are active in legislative advocacy. They would guide me to navigate the political landscape by providing practical insights. Knowledge of how to build interdisciplinary coalitions will mean I engage in intentional networking through active participation in community health boards and hospital committees. Policy Activities to Achieve Within the next 18 months, I plan to draft and submit a policy brief calling for improved access to wound care services for marginalized and underserved populations. I will also take part in the nursing advocacy day at the state level, during which I will interact with legislators to discuss issues affecting nurses. Besides, this activity would allow me to discuss patient care and workforce issues. Through these activities, my visibility as a nurse leader will be evident, thereby reinforcing my political competence. In most cases, time constraints hinder pursuing nursing advocacy. For instance, I may find it challenging to balance my clinical and clerical duties. Other stakeholders may also resist these initiatives (Cheraghi et al., 2023). To tackle the time management challenge, I will prioritize daily tasks and use clustering care to reduce distractions. Nonetheless, I will set strict boundaries and adhere to them to protect my personal time. Moreover, I would embrace persuasive communication and strategic management supported by evidence-based practices (Sallam et al., 2025). Upon addressing these challenges, I would be better positioned to advance my professional growth. References Cheraghi, R., Ebrahimi, H., Kheibar, N., & Sahebihagh, M. H. (2023). Reasons for resistance to change in nursing: An integrative review. BMC Nursing, 22(1), 310. Crowder, S. J., Tanner, A. L., Dawson, M. A., Felsman, I. C., Hassmiller, S. B., Miller, L. C., … & Toney, D. A. (2022). Better together: Coalitions committed to advancing health equity. Nursing Outlook, 70(6), S48-S58. Sallam, M., Stanley, A., Snygg, J., Jelley, D., & Sajwani, A. (2025). Empowering Healthcare Leadership Through Facilitators of Evidence-Based Management: A Narrative Review and Proposed Conceptual Framework. Frontiers in Management Science, 4(2), 39-63. Wright, M. M. M., Kvist, T. A., Imelinen, S. M., & Jokiniemi, K. S. (2024). Continuing education for advanced practice nurses: A scoping review. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 80(8), 3037-3058. DOI: 10.1111/jan.15911 Teacher response: you give a clear and focused reflection on the areas where you want to grow politically, especially in legislative advocacy, coalition building, and direct engagement with policymakers. You show strong insight in recognizing that while you are confident with organizational policy, you want to expand your influence beyond nursing and into broader interdisciplinary and legislative spaces. Your plan for growth is practical. Seeking workshops, webinars, and mentorship from nurse leaders active in advocacy will help you build both skill and confidence. Your commitment to intentional networking through community boards and hospital committees is an excellent way to strengthen coalition building. Your policy goals for the next eighteen months are well chosen. Drafting a policy brief on wound care access and participating in state level advocacy day will increase your visibility and reinforce your development as a nurse advocate. You also acknowledge realistic barriers and outline thoughtful strategies to manage them through prioritization, boundary setting, and persuasive communication. As you begin this work, which planned step feels like the best place to start building momentum in your advocacy journey? Student 1: Can you identify areas in your own political competence that require growth? I live in a community where my political views differ significantly from the majority, and the same is true in my workplace. To avoid conflict, Ive learned to stay quiet about my beliefs. As a nurse practitioner, I rely on evidence based, science driven decision making, but my attempts to encourage critical thinking have sometimes backfired. These tensions become even sharper around healthcare issues. I work in pediatrics with children who have Type 1 diabetes, which is a chronic, incurable disease, and many of my patients cant access lifesaving medications such as insulin because they lack insurance or have inadequate coverage. Insulin has been available for over a century, but its price has continued to increase in recent years (Feldman, 2023). Furthermore, insulin is priced approximately ten times higher in the U.S. than in any other country, highlighting a substantial disparity in global affordability (American Diabetes Association, 2022). This has made me a strong advocate for universal healthcare, especially for children fighting a chronic illness without a cure. I often struggle to disagree gently because, to me, opposing universal coverage feels like saying my patients dont deserve the chance to be healthy. What will you do to address these areas? I recognize that I need to strengthen my ability to present my perspectives in a clearer and more relatable manner. People often interpret the same issue through very different personal, cultural, or ideological lenses, and I want to be more intentional about acknowledging those differences. Even when I share little common ground with someone who disagrees with me, the conversation is more productive when I can use examples or analogies that connect the issue to aspects of their own life. I also want to improve my capacity to explain complex topics in a non partisan, balanced way. Asking thoughtful clarifying questions can help both me and the other person reflect more deeply on our assumptions and reasoning. Developing these skills will allow difficult discussions to remain respectful, constructive, and grounded in mutual understanding. What two policy activities can you plan to achieve within the next 18 months? What barriers might hinder your progress? I plan to join a professional organization focused specifically on pediatrics. An article by Castanos and Bowden (2024) stated professional nursing organizations (PNOs) are vital for pediatric nurses, offering resources that enhance clinical skills, career growth, and advocacy efforts. Becoming part of a community of clinicians who care for similar patient populations will provide a stronger sense of support and shared purpose. It will also allow me to learn how colleagues in other regions are addressing challenges similar to those I encounter in my own practice and to consider how their strategies might be adapted to my local context. My top choice so far is the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD). In addition, I intend to submit an abstract for presentation on a health equity project I have been developing, which highlights disparities within the type 1 diabetes community. I am preparing to submit this work to an endocrinology conference in Chicago scheduled for July of this year. My goal is to raise awareness of these inequities, contribute to broader discussions on access to care, and learn how larger metropolitan centers are addressing similar issues and advocating for their patients. A significant barrier to accomplishing these activities is the challenge of balancing my full time professional career with caring for two young children while simultaneously completing a DNP program. The combined demands on my time and energy can limit my capacity to fully engage in additional policy or professional development initiatives. Reference American Diabetes Association. (2022). American Diabetes Association Announces Support for INSULIN Act at Senate Press Conference | ADA. Diabetes.org. Castaos, L., & Bowden, V. R. (2024). Knowledge-to-action. Advancing nursing excellence: the role of professional nursing organizations. Pediatric Nursing, 50(5), 254259. Feldman, R. (2023). Leading with the trailing edge: facilitating patient choice for insulin products. Journal of Law & the Biosciences, 10(2), 134. Student 2: I must admit that I am a bit ignorant about my competence in the political arena of nursing. Recognizing this lack of awareness is an important step toward identifying my areas for growth. Acknowledging my limited experience and understanding of nursing politics, I can begin to assess what knowledge and skills are needed to become more competent in this aspect of my profession. Over my years in nursing leadership, I have increasingly prioritized policies and procedures. The impact of COVID and the adjustments in CMS nurse and technician ratios heightened my interest in legislative matters and policy development. As a result, I became a member of the ANA (American Nurses Association), GNA (Georgia Nurses Association), and ANNA (American Nephrology Nurses Association). It has become evident that nurses’ active participation in policymaking is essential to improving healthcare outcomes. When nurses engage in the legislative process and contribute to the development of health policies, they help ensure that the needs and perspectives of both patients and healthcare professionals are considered. This involvement not only strengthens the voice of the nursing profession but also leads to more informed decisions that positively affect the quality of care delivered within the healthcare system. Over the next 18 months, I intend to take a more active role in the professional nursing associations to which I belong. Specifically, I aim to join an advocacy committee and attend local chapter meetings. I believe that increasing my involvement in these organizations will deepen my understanding of nursing politics and policy development and enable me to contribute meaningfully to the profession. While I am committed to this plan, I recognize that time constraints pose a significant challenge. Balancing the demands of school, work, and family means I must be intentional about setting aside dedicated time for these advocacy activities. By prioritizing my participation and scheduling accordingly, I hope to overcome this barrier and fulfill my professional development goals. Rasheed, S. P., Younas, A., & Mehdi, F. (2020). Challenges, Extent of Involvement, and the Impact of Nurses Involvement in Politics and Policy Making in the Last Two Decades: An Integrative Review. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 52(4), 446455. Wilson, D. M., Underwood, L., Kim, S., Olukotun, M., & Errasti-Ibarrondo, B. (2022). How and why nurses became involved in politics or political action, and the outcomes or impacts of this involvement. Nursing Outlook, 70(1), 5563.
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