Date of Award
Spring 5-5-2023
Document Type
DNP Project
Project Team Faculty Member
Dr. Mary Zerlan DNP, CRNA, APN
Project Team Faculty Member
Dr. Kevin Stein CRNA, DNAP
Project Team Faculty Member
Micah Roderick BA, MPA
Keywords
Advocacy, student registered nurse anesthetist, political participation, political literacy, political astuteness, political process.
Abstract
Continuous advocacy and political participation have secured better working conditions and recognition of certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), translating into better patient care. This project aimed to launch an advocacy campaign targeting student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs). A pre-lesson survey was designed to identify SRNAs’ political participation barriers and assess their political literacy. Additionally, a lesson was developed to help SRNAs’ understand CRNA advocacy. To evaluate the educational tool, a post-lesson survey was created. These materials were distributed via email to all SRNAs (n=320) enrolled in a CRNA program in Illinois. Only 51 students completed the pre-lesson survey, and 39 completed the post-lesson survey. Results showed that lack of free time (82.4%) and political literacy (54.9%) were the most reported barriers to participation. Although most SRNAs ranked slightly more aware of politics (74.5%, n=38), six SRNAs were classified as totally politically unaware (11.75%). Most of the SRNAs strongly agreed the lesson help them understand CRNA advocacy (84.6%). However, only some SRNAs (38%) strongly agreed to participate in the political process after graduation. This and the lack of participation suggest disinterest or preexisting negativity toward politics among SRNAs. Therefore, engagement facilitation should be the focus to increase SRNAs’ political astuteness.
Keywords: advocacy, student registered nurse anesthetist, political participation, political literacy, political astuteness, political process.
Recommended Citation
Villescas, Alejandra, "Developing an Advocacy Campaign to Minimize Barriers to SRNA Political Awareness" (2023). Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects. 255.
https://spark.siue.edu/dnpprojects/255
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