MONEY AND POLITICS IN NURSING

It is through money and politics that groups such as nursing organizations can bring their concerns to Congress. Donations to a particular candidate's campaign can operate to raise the visibility of issues important to nurses. The formation of political action committees (PACs) allows for ongoing support of candidates who address nurse-related issues and does so through a regular audit of revenues and disbursements to the federal government so as to make sure that expenditures are on the up-and up. Further, PACs can take out adds on the radio or television prior to elections which are relevant for nursing's agenda.

In this view, money and politics and nursing make very good bedfellows. Or, as Artz (2002) puts it:

Individuals, organizations, and associations that successfully advocate their causes before lawmakers all have one important thing in common: political power. As members of Congress and the administration continue to debate issues such as health care reform, patients' rights, and access to care, turning on your political power as a nurse has never been more important