Podcast explores how nurses can be effective advocates

In an AONL podcast, Rosanne Raso, DNP, RN, editor-in-chief of Nursing Management and AONL Board member, describes how nurses can tell stories and share data to persuade legislators and health care leaders to support legislation or make organizational policy changes, respectively. She stresses advocacy is the professional responsibility of all nurses and nurse leaders, who advocate for patients and families and their units and teams. Nurses meeting with legislators should be prepared to make short and powerful pitches to influence legislation, she says. Raso encourages nurse leaders to attend the AONL Advocacy Academy June 1-3 in Washington, D.C., AONL Advocacy Day June 2-3 in Washington, D.C., or the AONL Leadership Conference on Professional Governance  Aug. 10-11 in San Antonio, which offers sessions on advocacy.