Lessons Learned Essay

Mary Wakefield has been a shining beacon when it comes to increasing the power and influence of nurses in general and specifically nursing groups and policies. For nearly two decades she has strived to provide recommendations to those political hacks in Washington, as well as for various state organizations and governments. The website for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) states that Mary "has served as director of the Center for Health Policy, Research and Ethics at George Mason University (as well as ) a consultant to the World Health Organization's Global Program on AIDS in Geneva, Switzerland" (Mary Wakefield, 2010). According to the website, Wakefield also worked with the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, the Advisory Commission on Consumer Protection and Quality in the Health Care Industry, and the National Advisory Committee to HRSA's Office of Rural Health Policy. Her influence in governmental health care affairs is as varied as it is strong.

Her willingness to devote the time and effort necessary to gain that influence and to have her voice heard is an example of how younger and less experienced nurses can begin a pathway of similar power.When she first began her sojourn into the political arena in the early 1990's many were doubtful that this individual from North Dakota would be capable of bringing change to the health care system. Her research and ability to write articles that expounded and expanded on new delivery methods for health care, as well as for the reasons for change set a high standard for other nurses. One 2006 article may have stated her viewpoint the very best; "nursing has a role not just in implementing new directions in health care but envisioning them as well" (Wakefield, 2008, p. 49).

Her example of using research to underscore the changes that she wished to make, is an excellent example of a methodology for change. Using this same research-based methodology in my present work setting would allow me to gain some measure of influence as well. Many of my cohorts and colleagues are very research….....