Despite guidance from national nursing organizations emphasizing political advocacy as a professional responsibility, many prelicensure nursing students graduate with limited exposure to policy engagement. Political efficacy among new nurses remains low, limiting their ability to influence health policy and advance the profession. This quality improvement project implemented and evaluated an evidence-based political engagement initiative for Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students designed to increase their understanding of the political impact on healthcare, enhance political self-efficacy, explore the role of advocacy in shaping professional identity, and promote sustained involvement in nursing advocacy. Ten students participated in a two-part intervention: A virtual educational session facilitated by the North Carolina Nurses Association and participation in the 2025 NCNA Nurses Day at the Legislature. Students completed the Perceived Political Self-Efficacy (P-PSE) Scale before and after the intervention and shared written reflections. Results showed a statistically significant increase in P-PSE scores [t(7) = -3.03, p = .023], indicating improved confidence in political engagement. Students also reported greater clarity about their role as nurse advocates and expressed motivation to remain politically involved. These findings suggest that structured, experiential learning opportunities can effectively foster political efficacy and professional identity formation in nursing students.

Date

• 2025

Lead Author/Creator

• Caitlin McArthur, DNP, RNC-MNN

Affiliation

• Duke AHEAD

Stichwort

• Nursing
• Nursing education
• Political advocacy
• Civic engagement
• Advocacy
• Professional Identity
• Health policy
• Experiential learning
• Legislative engagement
• Nurse leadership

Item type

• Poster

Educational Competency

• Identity Formation
• Leadership
• Curriculum Design