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Political Astuteness of Baccalaureate Nursing Students Following an Active Learning Experience in Health Policy
Author(s) -
Byrd Mary E.,
Costello Joanne,
Gremel Kathleen,
Schwager Jeanne,
Blanchette Lynn,
Malloy Thomas E.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
public health nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.471
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1525-1446
pISSN - 0737-1209
DOI - 10.1111/j.1525-1446.2012.01032.x
Subject(s) - legislature , politics , public policy , public health , health policy , nursing , public administration , public relations , medicine , medical education , sociology , psychology , political science , economics , economic growth , law
Objectives To describe changes in political astuteness after baccalaureate nursing student participation in a series of public policy learning activities. Design and Sample This one‐group pretest/posttest design included 300 undergraduate nursing students enrolled in the public/community health nursing course. Data collection occurred each semester beginning spring 2008 and ending summer 2011. Measures The Political Astuteness Inventory ( PAI ) was used to compare levels of political astuteness and to identify conceptual factors contributing to political involvement prior to and at the completion of the public policy learning activities. Intervention The public policy learning activities were a central clinical component of the senior level public/community health nursing course. These activities included information sessions at the S tate D epartment of H ealth and S tate H ouse, a legislative assignment, and a public policy group project. Results After participating in the public policy learning activities, students' political astuteness mean scores significantly increased ( p = .000). Participation in professional organizations and knowledge of the legislative and policy processes significantly predicted posttest political involvement ( p = .000). Conclusion The PAI was a useful outcome measure for the public policy activities. Active learning experiences in public policy can increase the knowledge and skills that future nurses need to influence public policy.