Policy Brief Assignment
The goal of this assignment is to simulate an advocacy meeting with a member of Congress and consists of three requirements. Each student will develop a one-page policy brief, also known as a one-pager or Ask, using the instructions in the RWJ Connect Manual (see resources). They will then develop a script for a meeting between the student as the nurse advocate for a group cause, and a person that can influence policy (i.e., Legislator, Congressperson, State Representative). Finally, students will role-play communicating this advocacy issue to the targeted stakeholder. Objectives of Assignment: By the end of this assignment, students will be able to: • Advocate for patients and groups of patients concerning a bioethical issue at a local, state, national level. • Identify government stakeholders who influence policy regarding a bioethical issue • Communicate a professional position and request to a political stakeholder in written and verbal formats. Reference Material Needed: RWJ Connect Manual Sample One-Pager Sample Video of Role-Play Instructions: • Identify a bioethical issue that is current and controversial at the local, state, or national level. • Identify a Congressional stakeholder involved in this policy. Use the instructions on page 6 of the Robert Wood Johnson (RWJ) Connect Manual to identify potential Congressional stakeholders. • Pick one of these members to contact and advocate your position on the bioethical issue. Using pages 11-36 to develop the strategy for a meeting with this Congressperson. • Write your one-page policy brief and your script in preparation The final assignment should be comprised of a a) script and b) a one-page policy brief for use in your role-play. A. Develop a script of a meeting between you as the nurse advocate for a professional nursing group/association and the stakeholder. Use page 11 of the RWJ Connect Manual as your template. The following components should be included in your script: · Start your meeting right (RWJ p. 12) · Who you are and what you do (RWJ p. 13-18) · Story about how you work (RWJ p. 19-23) · What you want: Identifying and Ask (RWJ p. 24-29) · Closing the Meeting (RWJ p. 30) B. Develop a one-page policy brief using RWJ Manual suggestions (p. 31-34). Example One-Pager C. Role-play a meeting with you, the nurse advocate for a professional group, and a member of Congress. For traditional students, this will occur live. This should only be 5-8 minutes, as members of Congress are busy! Be prepared to respond to questions from peers after your presentation. Example role-play video: https://youtu.be/6sMrmiQZKPI
