- Email: [email protected]
Shaping policy in an antipolicy environment
President’s Message
Shaping policy in an antipolicy environment As the president of the American Academy of Nursing, I try to limit sharing my personal sentiments about politics and politicians in the pages of Nursing Outlook or Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing Mail. I feel quite comfortable sharing my thoughts on policy, but I do not assume that we all feel the same about our leaders and their style of governing. However, because the academy is primarily a policy focused organization and has integrated the policy process into our mission and vision I feel compelled to share with you that I believe our vision is in peril. I have watched with trepidation as the process for formulating policy has rapidly retreated from what I recognize as policymaking. Take a minute and turn to the back pages of this journal. You will find the American Academy of Nursing on policy statements. These are the signature pages of the academy; a place where we publish the policy briefs, policy statements, and position papers created by our expert panels on issues of high priority for serving the public and nursing profession. We understand that the process of policy development is essential to assuring that the positions we take are related to our priorities as leaders in nursing, that they are definitive statements that direct and influence action, and that they focus on impact. We value positions that inspire advocacy to create or protect those values, practices, and outcomes we hold dear. The academy has an evidence-based process for creating policy statements that have been refined over time. As I watch decision making unfold within our new administration, I sense a distinct departure from our own values related to policymaking. We must find a way to encourage a process that uses the underlying premise that policy is guided by a process that values evidence and a commitment to basic ideals including focus on an actual need to protect or improve our society and that of our neighbors across the globe, systematically research the problems and outcomes we want to address, develop definitive statements about opportunities and risks, examine multiple options and the accompanying evidence, so choices can be made; and bring expertise and truth to decision making. I believe that most of us respect this process. I believe we expect it from our leaders and ourselves. But I also believe that the expectations for policy and the values we ascribe are eroding in this current environment including our value for truth and evi-
dence. I do not believe this is related to political party affiliation, but it has certainly led to a stalemate in congress. I do not believe it is a problem of faith, race, gender, education, or status although populations most at risk and most vulnerable suffer the consequences. I believe it is a problem of truth vs. fiction, reality vs. fantasy, and leadership vs. power. I believe that seeking the truth and acting on the truth to protect our rights and the rights of others is paramount to a just and prosperous society for all our people and global neighbors. Despite these serious concerns, I am optimistic about the way forward. I have a powerful affinity for learning and applying evidence as we go along and think that most individuals do value the truth and do value justice and equity. I believe that as leaders in a profession built on these same values, we are positioned to take action in this uncertain policy environment. The academy board is prioritizing a limited set of policy issues that characterize our long-standing positions and clarify and inspire our future positions on topics ranging from the environment to equity, reproductive rights, health care that is affordable, accessible, and of the highest quality, violence, toxic stress in children, and immigration. We also share a commitment to the ongoing development of science that informs policy. We are experts at reaching out to our local-, state, and federal-elected officials. Let us ask them to join with us to protect and promote policies that have the greatest opportunity to improve and safeguard population health. The academy and our many partners have a powerful catalog of policy briefs, statements, and positions that address many of our greatest concerns. We can reach out to partners to collaborate on refining or reshaping policies that speak to those areas we think are at greatest risk. If you, like me, are concerned that the art and science of the policy process has faltered, please engage across the many environments where nurses serve. We are critical to caring for the public and for speaking up with and for the public! Author Description Bobbie Berkowitz is the President of the American Academy of Nursing. Bobbie Berkowitz, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN Dean and Professor Columbia University School of Nursing Sr. Vice President
Nurs Outlook 65 (2017) 138e139
Columbia University Medical Center New York, NY Corresponding author: Bobbie Berkowitz, 630 West 168th Street, MC6, New York, NY 10032.
139 E-mail address: [email protected]
0029-6554/$ e see front matter Ó 2017 Published by Elsevier Inc. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2017.02.005
Shaping policy in an antipolicy environment As the president of the American Academy of Nursing, I try to limit sharing my personal sentiments about politics and politicians in the pages of Nursing Outlook or Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing Mail. I feel quite comfortable sharing my thoughts on policy, but I do not assume that we all feel the same about our leaders and their style of governing. However, because the academy is primarily a policy focused organization and has integrated the policy process into our mission and vision I feel compelled to share with you that I believe our vision is in peril. I have watched with trepidation as the process for formulating policy has rapidly retreated from what I recognize as policymaking. Take a minute and turn to the back pages of this journal. You will find the American Academy of Nursing on policy statements. These are the signature pages of the academy; a place where we publish the policy briefs, policy statements, and position papers created by our expert panels on issues of high priority for serving the public and nursing profession. We understand that the process of policy development is essential to assuring that the positions we take are related to our priorities as leaders in nursing, that they are definitive statements that direct and influence action, and that they focus on impact. We value positions that inspire advocacy to create or protect those values, practices, and outcomes we hold dear. The academy has an evidence-based process for creating policy statements that have been refined over time. As I watch decision making unfold within our new administration, I sense a distinct departure from our own values related to policymaking. We must find a way to encourage a process that uses the underlying premise that policy is guided by a process that values evidence and a commitment to basic ideals including focus on an actual need to protect or improve our society and that of our neighbors across the globe, systematically research the problems and outcomes we want to address, develop definitive statements about opportunities and risks, examine multiple options and the accompanying evidence, so choices can be made; and bring expertise and truth to decision making. I believe that most of us respect this process. I believe we expect it from our leaders and ourselves. But I also believe that the expectations for policy and the values we ascribe are eroding in this current environment including our value for truth and evi-
dence. I do not believe this is related to political party affiliation, but it has certainly led to a stalemate in congress. I do not believe it is a problem of faith, race, gender, education, or status although populations most at risk and most vulnerable suffer the consequences. I believe it is a problem of truth vs. fiction, reality vs. fantasy, and leadership vs. power. I believe that seeking the truth and acting on the truth to protect our rights and the rights of others is paramount to a just and prosperous society for all our people and global neighbors. Despite these serious concerns, I am optimistic about the way forward. I have a powerful affinity for learning and applying evidence as we go along and think that most individuals do value the truth and do value justice and equity. I believe that as leaders in a profession built on these same values, we are positioned to take action in this uncertain policy environment. The academy board is prioritizing a limited set of policy issues that characterize our long-standing positions and clarify and inspire our future positions on topics ranging from the environment to equity, reproductive rights, health care that is affordable, accessible, and of the highest quality, violence, toxic stress in children, and immigration. We also share a commitment to the ongoing development of science that informs policy. We are experts at reaching out to our local-, state, and federal-elected officials. Let us ask them to join with us to protect and promote policies that have the greatest opportunity to improve and safeguard population health. The academy and our many partners have a powerful catalog of policy briefs, statements, and positions that address many of our greatest concerns. We can reach out to partners to collaborate on refining or reshaping policies that speak to those areas we think are at greatest risk. If you, like me, are concerned that the art and science of the policy process has faltered, please engage across the many environments where nurses serve. We are critical to caring for the public and for speaking up with and for the public! Author Description Bobbie Berkowitz is the President of the American Academy of Nursing. Bobbie Berkowitz, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN Dean and Professor Columbia University School of Nursing Sr. Vice President
Nurs Outlook 65 (2017) 138e139
Columbia University Medical Center New York, NY Corresponding author: Bobbie Berkowitz, 630 West 168th Street, MC6, New York, NY 10032.
139 E-mail address: [email protected]
0029-6554/$ e see front matter Ó 2017 Published by Elsevier Inc. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2017.02.005