Instructions: Response must be at least 150 words written in current APA format with at least two academic references. References must be within the last five years. Response must extend, refute/correct, or add additional nuance.

The past affects our futures, and it engraves us with life stories. Understanding the history of politics and policies in nursing is critical because it helps to acquire knowledge about the past. It serves as a guide to change elements or practices for a better future. Most of our stories create the foundation upon which policies move forward or fail. However, the reason for exploring the connection of history and health policy surpasses simply knowing stories (Mason, Dickson, McLemore, and Perez, 2016). The healthcare system has changed for the better, to improve patient care because Lilian Wald and her colleague prevail. They turned her vision into reality. It took hard work and partnership with other entities such as insurance companies, donors, schools, and the New York City’s Department of Health, but she changed the U.S. healthcare system’s structure. There is much improvement to the U.S. healthcare system compared from the 1920s and 1930s to the twenty-first centuries. The foundations are now influenced and shared with stakeholders such as the federal government, pharmaceutical companies, consumer groups, and the insurance industry to critically shape the nursing scope of practice (Mason et al., 2016). 

According to Huber (2016), as the leading and most reliable occupation, nurses need to be mindful of how politics work. Politics impact our profession at the local, state, and national level. It is imperative that nurses analyze and recognize proposed policies and how it may affect our patients and our profession. Understanding how politics work and what influences are present in the course are critical to ensuring effective public policies. Advanced political skills are required for effective organizational leadership, obtaining political appointments, and seeking elective office. Hence, one much learns the rope of policy, politics, and advocacy. Policy development usually follows a course of action based on data, information, and values followed by a solution to an actual or a potential problem. As nurses, we need to have a clear understanding of the policymaking process so that we can influence policy more strategically and effectively. There are many opportunities and activities for nurses from all educational levels and experience to learn new skills to improve policymaking, thus the health of the population (Mason et al., 2016).

The readiness of nurses to become involved in politics is the key to developing legislative respect for the profession, and to advance our healthcare system continually. As nurses, we have a responsibility to broaden our advocacy to include health policy, which will empower us to have control over our practice and many healthcare issues (Huber, 2016). Our ancestors trace the path when they answer their call. Their success, policies, and the legacy that they left behind provided guidance and support for today’s nursing profession. As we look back at the historical events, nursing has evolved significantly. Nursing started from volunteers taking care of the sick, the vulnerable, and the wounded during the war to professional nursing. Now, nursing has developed into a sophisticated profession. Furthermore, It will continue to improve for a better future as we acquired new skills, knowledge, and education to provide a high quality of care.