Advocating for Nurses and Nursing
Advocating for Nurses and Nursing
The ability to successfully support a cause or interest on one's own behalf or that of another requires a set of skills that include problem solving, communication, influence, and collaboration. Each of these skills will be discussed below.
Advocacy is focused on addressing problems or issues in need of a solution. The steps in the advocacy process are first to identify the issue(s) to be addressed and develop goals and a strategy to address the issue(s). Once the strategy is identified, a plan of action is developed to organize advocacy efforts and establish a time line for completing each activity that supports the strategy. Most advocacy initiatives involve approaching decision makers with requests for action to address the identified issue. Before approaching decision makers, however, it is important to take the time to develop a compelling request and to identify the appropriate time and individual to whom to make the request. Patience and a sense of timing are necessary in order to achieve a successful outcome. Few victories are achieved on the first attempt. Most advocacy initiatives are accomplished through collaboration, negotiation, and compromise; they may require a series of actions over time in-order-to achieve a desired outcome.
Most advocacy initiatives involve bringing individuals and groups together to address an issue or concern. Advocates need to communicate clearly and concisely and to structure the message to fit both the situation and the intended audience. Advocates must be comfortable with verbal, written, and electronic formats. Communication regarding the issue should be factual and consistent. While it is important to be prepared to discuss the specific facts and data associated with the issue, it is equally important to discuss the impact of the situation on those involved. It can be helpful to put a "human face" on the issue by using "word pictures" (words that create a picture in another's mind) to make the communication more compelling (Amidei, 2010).
One way to help to formulate a consistent communication message is to prepare a "Sixty- Second Speech." This is a brief, practiced speech used to introduce the issue and proposed solution. Distributing a one-page fact sheet or brochure is an excellent way to close the speech, and ensure that the listener is walking away with the key points (Amidei, 2010). The following Box describes the content to include in a Sixty-Second Speech.
To facilitate change or solve an issue, the advocate must be able to influence others to action. Influence is the ability to alter or sway an individual's or group's thoughts, beliefs, or actions; it is essential to the advocacy process (Merriman-Webster, 2009b). Influence is built on competence, credibility, and trustworthiness. Keeping the best interests of those involved in the situation builds trust and credibility. An effective advocate influences decision makers by building a case for the desired change, backing the case with facts and data, and putting a human face on the issue using a compelling visual image. Persuasion is a stronger form of influence that makes use of an appeal or argument to make one's point. While effective in small increments, persuasion can elicit defensiveness in others, thus undermining the overall success of an initiative.
Collaboration In addition to demonstrating the skills described above, the advocate must also establish positive, collaborative relationships with others to garner the support necessary to address the issue. Collaboration is working with other individuals or groups to achieve a common goal. It differs from cooperation which involves groups working together to achieve their own individual goals. In collaboration, the individuals or groups involved develop common goals, along with common strategies and activities that will achieve that goal (Denise, n. d.). Collaboration is built on trust, mutual respect, and credibility. The end result of groups collaborating to achieve a common goal can be greater than that which each group could accomplish independently. Successful collaboration requires careful communication with the groups involved in the process, seeking input when appropriate, and providing ongoing reports related to progress on achieving the goal.
It is necessary, during the advocacy process, to work with those people (the stakeholders) who are affected by the issue. In addition, the advocate may collaborate with others in the organization interested in solving the issue. These individuals often have expertise that would be beneficial to the effort. Developing a collaborative relationship with professionals in support departments, such as infection prevention, employee health, or human resources, will be invaluable when addressing issues that involve these departments. Likewise seeking out support staff in other venues, such as a legislative aid or the assistant to a commissioner, can be equally helpful.
In summary, advocacy is a complex process that requires skillful use of problem solving, communication, influence, and collaboration to achieve a solution to an issue. Often, advocacy is an incremental process of achieving change through a series of efforts that may take months or years to accomplish.
Advocacy Skills
The ability to successfully support a cause or interest on one's own behalf or that of another requires a set of skills that include problem solving, communication, influence, and collaboration. Each of these skills will be discussed below.
Problem Solving
Advocacy is focused on addressing problems or issues in need of a solution. The steps in the advocacy process are first to identify the issue(s) to be addressed and develop goals and a strategy to address the issue(s). Once the strategy is identified, a plan of action is developed to organize advocacy efforts and establish a time line for completing each activity that supports the strategy. Most advocacy initiatives involve approaching decision makers with requests for action to address the identified issue. Before approaching decision makers, however, it is important to take the time to develop a compelling request and to identify the appropriate time and individual to whom to make the request. Patience and a sense of timing are necessary in order to achieve a successful outcome. Few victories are achieved on the first attempt. Most advocacy initiatives are accomplished through collaboration, negotiation, and compromise; they may require a series of actions over time in-order-to achieve a desired outcome.
Communication
Most advocacy initiatives involve bringing individuals and groups together to address an issue or concern. Advocates need to communicate clearly and concisely and to structure the message to fit both the situation and the intended audience. Advocates must be comfortable with verbal, written, and electronic formats. Communication regarding the issue should be factual and consistent. While it is important to be prepared to discuss the specific facts and data associated with the issue, it is equally important to discuss the impact of the situation on those involved. It can be helpful to put a "human face" on the issue by using "word pictures" (words that create a picture in another's mind) to make the communication more compelling (Amidei, 2010).
One way to help to formulate a consistent communication message is to prepare a "Sixty- Second Speech." This is a brief, practiced speech used to introduce the issue and proposed solution. Distributing a one-page fact sheet or brochure is an excellent way to close the speech, and ensure that the listener is walking away with the key points (Amidei, 2010). The following Box describes the content to include in a Sixty-Second Speech.
Influence
To facilitate change or solve an issue, the advocate must be able to influence others to action. Influence is the ability to alter or sway an individual's or group's thoughts, beliefs, or actions; it is essential to the advocacy process (Merriman-Webster, 2009b). Influence is built on competence, credibility, and trustworthiness. Keeping the best interests of those involved in the situation builds trust and credibility. An effective advocate influences decision makers by building a case for the desired change, backing the case with facts and data, and putting a human face on the issue using a compelling visual image. Persuasion is a stronger form of influence that makes use of an appeal or argument to make one's point. While effective in small increments, persuasion can elicit defensiveness in others, thus undermining the overall success of an initiative.
Collaboration In addition to demonstrating the skills described above, the advocate must also establish positive, collaborative relationships with others to garner the support necessary to address the issue. Collaboration is working with other individuals or groups to achieve a common goal. It differs from cooperation which involves groups working together to achieve their own individual goals. In collaboration, the individuals or groups involved develop common goals, along with common strategies and activities that will achieve that goal (Denise, n. d.). Collaboration is built on trust, mutual respect, and credibility. The end result of groups collaborating to achieve a common goal can be greater than that which each group could accomplish independently. Successful collaboration requires careful communication with the groups involved in the process, seeking input when appropriate, and providing ongoing reports related to progress on achieving the goal.
It is necessary, during the advocacy process, to work with those people (the stakeholders) who are affected by the issue. In addition, the advocate may collaborate with others in the organization interested in solving the issue. These individuals often have expertise that would be beneficial to the effort. Developing a collaborative relationship with professionals in support departments, such as infection prevention, employee health, or human resources, will be invaluable when addressing issues that involve these departments. Likewise seeking out support staff in other venues, such as a legislative aid or the assistant to a commissioner, can be equally helpful.
In summary, advocacy is a complex process that requires skillful use of problem solving, communication, influence, and collaboration to achieve a solution to an issue. Often, advocacy is an incremental process of achieving change through a series of efforts that may take months or years to accomplish.
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