• Step 1: Choose a local, state, or national policy issue that is of concern to you. Go to the American Nurses Association (ANA) web pageAdvocacy athttps://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/advocacy/
• to read about current nursing policy issues in the United States.
• Step 2: Locate legislators or policymakers in your city, state, or country who you will contact regarding your selected policy. You can find a list of local legislators in the United States at:
• OpenStates. (n.d.).Find your legislators.https://openstates.org/find_your_legislator/
• USA.gov. (n.d.).How to contact your elected officials.https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials
• Step 3: Draft a letter suggesting a policy change.
• Read pg. 2223 of the AACN's "From Patient Advocacy to Political Action: AACN's Guide to Understanding Healthcare Policy and Politics" athttp://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/Policy/PDF/AACNPolicyHandbook_2010.pdfto view a sample letter.
• Using the AACN sample letter as a guide, format your letter as follows:
• Describe your education and career experiences;
• Describe your qualifications and expertise in a policy area using at least two examples;
• Analyze the critical role nurses play in improving care, as they are at the point of care;
• Summarize the key points of your chosen policy;
• Defend your stance on the policy using at least two current, scholarly resources in support of your position; and
• Recommend at least two actions for change with regard to the selected policy.