Advocating healthy public policy: Implications for baccalaureate nursing education

Advocating healthy public policy is increasingly recognized as an essential strategy for enhancing the health of populations. The purpose of this pape r is to discuss the implications this priority area portends for the educat ional preparation of public health nurses (PHNs). Population health is cent ral to public health nursing, and as such, it is imperative that PHNs emplo y policy advocacy strategies to influence positively the determinants that affect the health of populations. In this paper, we introduce the concept o f healthy public policy and its relevance for public health nursing and bac calaureate nursing education. We outline substantive content areas that are fundamental to policy advocacy, such as determinants of health and their i nterrelationships, the policy process, and theoretical frameworks consisten t with a socioenvironmental approach to health. In addition, we detail exam ples of specific learning experiences that provide students with opportunit ies to apply the content. Some of these activities include analysis of a po pulation health issue, developing a position paper or resolution, writing l etters to policy makers and the media, and working with lobbyists and polic y makers.