Abstract:
Introduction: Studies have shown that advanced practice nurse engagement in politics and practice advocacy is associated with improved access to healthcare and lower rates of health disparity among vulnerable populations. However, among certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) in Massachusetts, engagement has been historically low despite several urgent practice issues CRNAs currently face. Lack of knowledge, confidence, and political skill may be factors. The purpose of this project was to assess baseline political astuteness, provide an educational intervention aimed at increasing political awareness and activities, and evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. Methods: A single cohort, non-randomized, pre-post survey design was used to measure the difference in political astuteness levels before and after the educational intervention. A modified version of the Political Astuteness Inventory (PAI) tool was utilized to measure participants’ levels. Demographic information was collected. Results: Five participants completed the study (N=5). Although political astuteness levels increased from 24.8 to 29 following exposure to the educational policy toolkit, changes did not reveal a statistically significant improvement (p = 0.11). Discussion: The educational policy toolkit described in this project can be a useful model for future educational initiatives provided by state associations.
