I collect campaign pins, and this is my favorite pin from my collection. Its simple message says it all. There are two schools of thought about nurses and politics. Some nurses believe that members of our profession must remain completely neutral in the political arena. They believe that getting involved in the dirty business of politics will put the profession in a bad light. I believe, however, that it is our duty to fight for patient rights. It’s time for nurses to hit the streets during this election year and take action.

I’m not going to tell you what to think, or who to vote for during this election. What I am going to tell you is how to help the candidate of your choice. The first thing you can do is roll up your sleeves. Candidates need volunteers to staff phone banks, help with mailing lists, attend political rallies, and canvas neighborhoods. I was 14 years old when I started volunteering, and campaigns always found things for me to do. If a kid can get involved, so can you.

Money greases the wheels of politics and campaigns are always looking for donors. I really encourage nurses to make individual campaign contributions and donate to a political action committee (PAC). A PAC is a powerful tool in nurses’ arsenal to improve America’s ailing health care system and promote the nursing profession. PACs raise and spend money to help elect or defeat candidates running for public office. They serve to educate lawmakers about health care issues affecting patients, and they make direct political contributions to candidates who support a specific cause. Many nursing PACs routinely contribute to nurses who are running for political office. Do you know that there are three nurses currently serving in Congress? PACs receive funding from supporters and, while PACs may solicit only their organization members for donations, anyone may give to a PAC. Nursing PACs serve a vital role in the development of health care policy, and they are a collective way in which individuals can influence campaigns in the form of financial donations.

What impact can nurses have during this political season? We have a lot of power because there are so many of us in the profession. $5 and $10 checks add up, and any amount of money donated to a candidate is important. When nurses become financially involved in candidates, they’re putting a personal stake in those individuals. I’ve had the good fortune of meeting all the nurses currently in Congress, and they all told me that they are especially grateful to all nursing PACs for their financial support.

I live by this motto: Registered Nurse, Registered Vote. Stand up for what you believe in. Make a contribution and vote for the candidate of your choice. Discuss current political events that affect the nursing profession at www.NursingVoices.com.