In response to Answering the Call
Dear Editor,
In the article “Answering the Call” by Jennifer Mensik Kennedy (2024), it is highlighted that for 22 years in a row, nurses have been ranked in public opinion polls as the most trusted profession. This endorsement from the public should serve as a driving force for nurses to be more active in advancing health equity for all patients. Nurses can leverage the public’s support to impact lawmakers’ decisions that affect changes in the workplace, profession, and society. Advocacy in nursing is crucial, and nurses already have experience advocating for their patients from the bedside. Therefore, nurses need to get involved in political action by voting and advocating for changes in local, state, and federal policies that impact how we deliver care. Despite nurses making up the largest percentage of healthcare workers and primary providers of hospital patient care, only two nurses are in Congress. Nurses can even take it a step further by running for public office. The issue of health inequity will not fix itself, and nurses need to show up the same way we did during COVID-19. I appreciate the inclusion of information on how to get involved with resources from nonpartisan organizations such as Healing Politics and the Nurses on Board Coalition. Tools, resources, and networking opportunities that equip nurses to campaign for public office or serve on boards successfully, are invaluable and answer the call to action for nurses to occupy more legislative seats. Equipped with the tools and resources, nurses can change the state of healthcare for the better, locally and globally. Indeed, when nurses speak, healthcare changes for the better. The writer declares no personal or financial interest in the subject matter of this letter.
Kafayat Abba, MSN, RN, CDP, CCRN-CMC, NE-BC
New York, NY
