[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses are natural advocates. Each day they care and support their patients. Nurses have dedicated their lives to helping others, and many have become strong leaders in the community.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Years of practice and experience with patients give nurses a unique perspective. Politicians and the public need this perspective to understand the difficulties and challenges nurses face each day.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Discover some of the [hen-ui-link href=”/articles/nurse-activism-ways-nurses-can-affect-real-change/”]nurse advocacy groups that are affecting real change[/hen-ui-link] and fighting for nurses and healthcare workers in the workplace.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ class=”text-secondary”]11 Nurse Advocacy Groups You Need to Know About[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The following groups advocate for nurses and healthcare workers. Their advocacy helps ensure nurses have the resources needed to care for their patients adequately.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/careers/nurse-advocate/how-to-become/”]The need for nurse advocacy[/hen-ui-link] does not stop with illness and disease. In 2020, there were [hen-ui-link href=”https://polarisproject.org/myths-facts-and-statistics/”]10,583 reports[/hen-ui-link] of [hen-ui-link href=”/articles/how-nurses-recognize-and-report-human-trafficking/”] human trafficking [/hen-ui-link] in the U.S., which is likely an underreported number. Worldwide that number is close to [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-trafficking-in-persons-report/”]25 million men, women, and children[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]People who experience addiction, poverty, homelessness, and healthcare inequity need [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/nurse-advocate/”]nurse advocates [/hen-ui-link] to stand up for their rights and protect their health.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”/articles/why-is-there-a-nursing-shortage//”]nursing shortage[/hen-ui-link] has had a negative effect on patient outcomes and nurses’ health across the U.S. and globally. Nurse advocacy can help develop creative solutions.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Solutions can reduce the nursing shortage through:[/hen-ui-text]

• Filling [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/nurse-educator/”]nurse educator[/hen-ui-link] roles
• Increasing admissions to nursing programs
• Lowering attrition rates from hospitals
• Promoting mandatory staff-to-patient ratios that help improve patient outcomes and lower nursing burnout

[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Let’s explore the advocacy groups that help support healthcare workers and how you can get involved.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]1 [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.nationalnursesunited.org/ratios”]National Nurses United Campaign for Safe Registered Nurse-to-Patient Ratios[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]National Nurses United understands that while nurses advocate for their patients, hospitals may be more interested in the bottom line. They make decisions based on the budget rather than clinical considerations. Without a federal mandate, nurses across the country are consistently caring for more patients than is safe.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Get involved:[/hen-ui-text] National Nurses United advocates for [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//nursing-union-pros-cons/”]nurse unionization[/hen-ui-link], which can mandate safe nurse-to-patient ratios. You can get involved in the action by becoming a member and organizing in your state.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]2 [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.intnsa.org/”]International Nurses Society on Addictions[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This group supports nurses who work with patients experiencing addictions and substance use disorders. They started in 1975 and moved from a national to an international organization. Their mission is to advance [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/addiction-nursing/salary/”]addiction nursing[/hen-ui-link] excellence in preventing and treating addiction.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Get involved:[/hen-ui-text] The organization distributes information, has an e-learning portal, and has chapters around the globe. Find a local chapter to join. Membership benefits include:[/hen-ui-text]

• Connection and collaboration with colleagues
• Subscription to the Journal of Addictions Nursing
• Scholarship opportunities
• Continuing education and professional development

[hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]3 [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.nursingnow.org/”]Nursing Now Challenge[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nursing Now Challenge is an extension of the Nightingale Challenge. Nursing Now works with healthcare employers, universities, and colleges to create leadership opportunities for nurses. They use nurses’ social media to develop a supportive global network of healthcare professionals.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The group helps connect nurses and midwives across the world. They can work together on ideas and encourage other healthcare professionals.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Get involved:[/hen-ui-text] You can join one of their Global Solutions Initiatives, which allows you to share your knowledge and expertise with other nurses to help improve public health.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]4 [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.healthynursehealthynation.org/”]Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation is a collaborative effort of the American Nurses Association, the American Nurses Credentialing Center, and the American Nurses Foundation.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This group invites employers, associations, and schools to join their challenge to engage nurses and their families in personal wellness activities that can help [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//tips-for-avoiding-nurse-burnout/”]combat nurse burnout[/hen-ui-link] and nurses’ compassion fatigue. Nurses’ friends and colleagues can follow suit, leading to a ripple effect of significant impact on the nation’s overall health.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Get involved:[/hen-ui-text] You can get involved as an individual by first registering and taking the health assessment survey, which maps your health risks. Next, pick an area where you will commit to [hen-ui-link href=”/articles/nurse-activism-ways-nurses-can-affect-real-change/”]making a change[/hen-ui-link] and participating in health challenges. The organization allows you to connect with others for support and advice.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]5 [hen-ui-link href=”https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/health-equity/”]Sutter Health Institute for Advancing Health Equity[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The Institute participates in research and data gathering. They form partnerships and can help nurses address disparities in healthcare. They also act as an incubator, bringing together experts in the community to identify inequities and help create solutions.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Get involved:[/hen-ui-text] The Institute encourages nurses to contact them for more information about available opportunities.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]6 [hen-ui-link href=”https://smysofficial.org/”]Show Me Your Stethoscope[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The group engages nurses and the public to develop pathways for nurse advocacy. It is a grassroots approach to create positive change at the regional, state, and national levels.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]To date, they have 650,000 registered members who use their collective power to create effective change. They operate under the motto “Nurses take care of patients. We take care of nurses.”[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4”][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Get involved:[/hen-ui-text] You can become a member and participate in their impact projects. These include:[/hen-ui-text]

• Medical [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/missionary-nurse/”]missions for nurses[/hen-ui-link]
• Safe nurse staffing
• Responding to natural disasters
• Adopting families for Christmas

[hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]7The American Nurses Foundation[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The Foundation seeks to impact the nation’s health through nursing. The group looks for and funds groups with new ways of solving problems. They want to generate new ideas, create new tools, and lay the framework for nurses and patients to have a positive experience.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Get involved:[/hen-ui-text] You can participate by donating to the 501(c)3 organization to support the effort. Donations have funded the Coronavirus Response Fund for Nurses to support mental, financial, and educational health.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]8 [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.nurseadvocacyassociation.org/”]Nurse Advocacy Association[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The Nurse Advocacy Association is a forum for nurses to identify and talk about issues that affect nursing practice. They encourage collaboration, education, and professional development to achieve the organization’s goals. They hope to attract nurses dedicated to excellence and open to developing a supportive environment for nurses.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Get involved:[/hen-ui-text] Currently, the organization brings together nurses throughout Texas. Membership is free and includes the opportunity to provide the community with resources. Nurses have a platform to discuss healthcare challenges openly.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]9 [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.napnap.org/”]National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]NAPNAP serves the pediatric population through advocacy and supporting pediatric nurse practitioners. They sponsor [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//networking-in-nursing/”]professional networking opportunities for nurses[/hen-ui-link] and collaborate with organizations to conduct research. NAPNAP also works with healthcare professionals and educates families on the [hen-ui-link href=”/articles/what-to-know-about-working-as-a-pediatric-nurse/”]newest developments in pediatric nursing care[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Get involved:[/hen-ui-text] Membership benefits include access to research data, clinical practice resources, and an advocacy center. Here advanced practice nurses can help build awareness. They play a key role in addressing concerns with state and federal representatives. In addition, they can help define health policy agendas and goals to support nursing and children.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]10 [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aamn.org/”]American Association for Men in Nursing[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The American Association for Men in Nursing’s goal is to help shape the practice and leadership for men in nursing through education and research. The organization was started in 1971 by a nurse who saw the need to support the growth of men in nursing and promote ways to [hen-ui-link href=”/articles/male-nurses-overcoming-stigmas/”]overcome the stigma of male nurses[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Get involved:[/hen-ui-text] The organization has 2,300 members with chapters in 28 states, many of which are on college and university campuses. Membership benefits include a vote at meetings, quarterly newsletter, reports, and an opportunity for appointment or election to office. Membership is open to men and women who wish to support the organization.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]11 [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.nursing-alliance.org/”]Nursing Organizations Alliance[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The organization helps connect leaders from professional organizations across the country. The goal is to encourage collaboration and provide a forum to exchange information and share best practices. The Alliance was formed when two long-standing coalitions of nursing organizations decided to unite. The union promotes a strong voice and cohesive action to address nursing issues.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Get involved:[/hen-ui-text] Membership is open to nursing organizations that address healthcare issues. They typically hold three events each year. The conferences focus on broadening nursing leadership and providing a place where nursing organization leaders can communicate and collaborate.[/hen-ui-text]