Session: Empowered nurses advocate for policy change, workplace safety

Editor's Note

Real-world experience in Texas—where more than 650 nurses marched on the capitol in support of workplace violence legislation—informed much of yesterday’s OR Manager Conference presentation on nurse legislative and policy advocacy from Serena Bumpus, DNP, RN, NEA-BC.

Although nurses make up the largest healthcare workforce—around 5.2 million across the United States—voter turnout among this group is low. As such, nurses often are underrepresented in the policy-making process, both in terms of voting and engaging in advocacy. “If you aren’t on the table, you’re on the menu,” Bumpus said, quoting former Texas Governor Ann Richards.

Only 7% of nurses participating in professional organizations, Bumpus pointed out. By contrast, over 90% of physicians join professional associations, amplifying their voice in health policy. She stressed that to address this disparity, nurses must create their “seat at the table” and be proactive in articulating their value within the evolving healthcare landscape.

Bumpus outlined the challenges associated broader industry changes reshaping healthcare delivery post-COVID. Increased consolidation within health systems, shifts in reimbursement models, and a growing presence of new players—from pharmacy giants to tech corporations—are rapidly transforming care delivery. These emerging entities often develop business models without input from healthcare providers, especially nurses, who intimately understand patient care needs. Technological advancements, such as AI-driven tools like OR “black boxes,” are promising but are often developed without nursing input, despite their impact on patient safety and workflows.

Many of the session’s takeaways were conveyed via the specific example of nurse legislative advocacy in Texas, where a landmark WPV prevention bill mandates that healthcare facilities establish prevention policies, conduct risk assessments, and review all workplace violence incidents. Facilities must also provide a secure reporting system and enforce anti-retaliation protections, ensuring that nurses can safely report incidents. Additionally, a new law makes it a felony to assault healthcare workers on hospital grounds, enhancing nurse protection on-site.

Bumpus underscored that while the legislative journey often requires years of advocacy—Texas’s bill took over a decade—nurses’ personal stories proved vital to swaying lawmakers. By sharing firsthand experiences of workplace violence and patient care challenges, nurses were able to humanize their cause, leading to bipartisan support for the legislation.

The session concluded with a call to action for nurses to engage in political advocacy, highlighting that effective policymaking relies on real-world insights from nursing professionals. Through consistent engagement, professional association membership, and storytelling, nurses can build the influence needed to enact meaningful health policy reforms and ensure safer, more supportive work environments.