Leading Nurses to Become Informed and Intelligently Engage: Association of California Nurse Leaders' Health Policy...

The Association of California Nurse Leaders (ACNL) Health Policy Committee (Committee) plays a vital role in advancing the political competency and policy engagement of nurse leaders throughout California. The Committee promotes informed, skilled, and empowered nursing professionals prepared to influence health policy through strategic initiatives grounded in education, competency development, legislative monitoring, and advocacy. Aligned with ACNL's strategic priorities, the Committee operates through specialized subcommittees dedicated to developing policy competencies, educational offerings, and legislative updates. Evidence underscores the persistent underrepresentation of nurses in policy arenas and highlights the urgent need for structured development pathways to cultivate leadership and advocacy skills. Case examples demonstrate the Committee's success in supporting nurses' progression from novice participants to influential policy leaders. The work of the ACNL Health Policy Committee illustrates how nursing organizations can serve as effective vehicles for health policy engagement, ultimately strengthening the profession's impact on health care systems. Nurse leaders are called upon to actively engage in policy advocacy, leverage their expertise, and guide the next generation of nurse advocates. This manuscript aims to showcase the impact of the Committee and serve as a model for other professional organizations to mobilize resources to empower nurse leaders. A call to action is issued to engage nurses at all levels of leadership in shaping equitable, effective health policy.