Activism Is an Essential Nursing Role

Nursing has a long history of activism, yet nurses are often heard to express their dislike of "politics" and their desire to stay away from the tense and contentious situations associated with political activism. Nurses, however, have a fundamental duty to advocate on behalf of their patients and communities. In this article, the authors discuss the rationale for and roots of political activism in nursing, the values that shape it, and the importance of nursing's stance on policies related to the health and well-being of those they serve. The authors also present exemplars of political activism and approaches nurses can use to address the pressing health care challenges of our time.