March Meeting Highlights: The Identity of the Nurse Policy Entrepreneur (NPE)

[NPEC - Nurse Policy Entrepreneur Community]

In Saturday's Café, our discussion focused on the identity of the Nurse Policy Entrepreneur (NPE) — exploring what it means to be an NPE and how we can empower more nurses to engage in healthcare policy reform. Check out some key takeaways below!

Nurses translate frontline expertise into policy impact, using their clinical experience to drive systemic change.

An NPE is someone who:
 ✔️ Innovates – Thinks creatively and pushes boundaries to find solutions to healthcare challenges
 ✔️ Problem Solves – Identifies gaps in care, inefficiencies, and health equity issues — and develops actionable solutions
 ✔️ Advocates – Uses their voice and platform to drive meaningful change for patients and communities
 ✔️ Educates – Shares knowledge and empowers fellow nurses and healthcare professionals
 ✔️ Leads – Builds partnerships, influences decision-making, and sets a strategic vision for change
 ✔️ Inspires – Motivates others to join the movement for better healthcare policies
 ✔️ Persists – Shows resilience in the face of setbacks and continues to push for systemic improvements
 ✔️ Disrupts – Dares to ask tough questions, challenges the status quo, and pushes for change even when difficult

Barriers and challenges preventing nurses from stepping into the NPE role can include:

•  Lack of confidence
•  Feeling undervalued
•  Limited access to policy education and training
•  Structural barriers, such as hierarchies and outdated systems

Solutions: 

Education, mentorship, early policy exposure, and creating safe spaces for nurses to engage in policy discussions are key. The “know one, see one, do one” approach also helps build confidence and competence in policy work.

💬 We’re just getting started! Over the next few weeks, we plan to refine a comprehensive definition of the Nurse Policy Entrepreneur, incorporating the incredible insights from our NPE Community. We want to hear from YOU — what does being a Nurse Policy Entrepreneur mean to you? Consider the questions below: 

1. How would you define an NPE?
2. What skills or traits do you think are essential for an NPE?
3. What barriers have you faced (or seen others face) when trying to engage in policy work?
4. What strategies have worked for you in building confidence and influence in healthcare policy?
5. How can nursing education better prepare future NPEs?

Let's continue the conversation!