Abstract
The major purpose of this pilot study is to describe the evolution of nursing as an organized interest involved in shaping Connecticut health policy since 1987. A historical approach enables comparison of current political activities with those at other recent times so as to ascertain the full range of issues with which nursing has (or has not) been involved. Data from this study will be used to identify how nursing organizations, individuals, and health policymakers in CT might strengthen nursing's voice in health policy discussion so as to maximize the ability of the profession to influence health policy and improve patient care This study will answer three questions: 1) What are the CT state health policy issues with which nursing has or has not been involved over the past approximately 17 years? 2) How have political and structural factors internal to the profession shaped the evolution of nursing in CT as an organized interest? 3) How have nurses contributed to state health policy outcomes? Three types of data will be collected: semi-structured interviews of nurses and state policymakers, public documents pertaining to legislative hearings that may have included nursing testimony, and materials from two state nursing organizations (CT Nurses Association and the CT Advanced Practice Nurses Society). Seventeen individuals will be interviewed, including 12 nurses, three members of the State Legislative Public Health Committee, and two state officials from the CT Department of Public Health. All will be selected through purposive sampling so as to ensure a diversity of perspectives and roles. The pilot instrument will be reviewed by a nurse, a state policymaker, and a political scientist (not included in the study) to ensure content and construct validity. Interviews will be conducted in person, whenever possible, and will be audio-taped for subsequent transcription and analysis. Identity of the interviewees will be kept confidential unless they grant the researcher permission to use their name or position in the analysis and reporting of the data. ATLAS-ti computer software will be used for qualitative data analysis to help identify key themes and underlying concepts. Limitations include the small sample size and lack of generalizability to other locales. Findings will also be used to enhance the implementation of a larger three state and national study, the proposal for which is currently under review by a large private foundation.
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