Everyone hates fund raising. But those who hold political office say the rewards are worth the effort. Whether they ve helped fund a youth fitness center for their community or introduced legislation to alleviate the nursing shortage, all say they believe they are accomplishing something for nurses in a way they never could outside political life. Nurse politicians and political analysts say there has never been a better or more important time for nurses to run for office. In the last presidential election, voters listed health care at the top of their concerns, and, as if topics such as Medicare, patients rights and prescription drug costs weren t dear enough to nurses hearts, now a nursing shortage looms that promises to directly affect every nurse in the country.
People trust nurses.
Nurses, trained to communicate, juggle tasks, advocate for patients and think holistically, have the skills to be effective in political office, nurse analysts and officeholders say. Despite this, few nurses dare to run. Only three nurses occupy seats in the House of Representatives, and none are U.S. senators. The number in state legislatures has remained at about 100 for the past five years, Roit said. Some state legislatures, such as Illinois, have never had a nurse representative.