The experiences of nurses involving nursing policy which led to their current positions

Abstract

This study aimed to clarify the previous experiences of nurses involving nursing policy which led to their current position in addition to identify strategies for increasing nurse's interest in nursing policy. A semi-structured interview was carried out with six nurses involving nursing policy, whose positions included politician's secretary, administrative officer, and a board member of a political organization for nursing professions. Qualitative analyses of verbatim record of interviews generated three categories regarding experiences leading to careers in nursing policy (Experience that led to interest in nursing policy, experiences that deepened the understanding of nursing policy, and the responses of those around the interviewee with regard to their interest) and two categories relating to thoughts and opinions on strategies to increase nurse's interest in nursing policy (Obstacles to raise interest in nursing policy, and possible measures for raising interest in nursing policy). These results suggest that for nurses interested in choosing careers in nursing policy, it is important to have some kind of connection to people who have already involved in this field. Additionally, learning about health and nursing policy as part of the basic nursing education and having some other knowledge of healthcare systems and nursing practice overseas were also suggested as important. We conclude that by developing an effective way of disseminating information on policy to clinical nurses, improving information literacy of nurses, and targeting younger people, are useful approaches to establish system to encourage nurses to have interest on nursing policy.