The Nurse Policy Entrepreneur Community (NPEC) is a beacon of hope and action for nurses worldwide seeking deeper engagement in healthcare policy reform. Since its inception in October 2022, meeting monthly via Zoom, the NPEC has created an inclusive,
dynamic space for nurses across backgrounds, specialties, and experience levels. Its mission is clear: to empower nurses to actualize roles as full partners in healthcare reform by facilitating meaningful discussions and fostering collaboration. This
unfunded and unaffiliated initiative relies on volunteerism and embodies a pertinent, emerging mechanism for global healthcare reform.
The nursing identity has roots in the entrepreneurial actions of nursing’s founders who saw unmet needs, developed and implemented best practices, and then as thought leaders, led change in healthcare policy. This identity can be ambiguous to nurses
but even more so to other professionals. The modern extensive list of degrees, credentials, certifications, and more can be confusing. By following the steps to develop an identity as a nurse policy entrepreneur (NPE), one will be more successful
in devising a professional development strategy, meaningfully articulating the importance of nurses as full partners in policymaking and performing as thought leaders.
The NPEC focuses on envisioning an NPE identity and supports nurses in gaining knowledge, skills, abilities, and confidence to thrive in implementation—how
to approach issues, not debate them. At the heart of the NPE role is commitment to advocacy, using unique positioning as the most trusted profession to amplify the voices of patients, communities, and the profession. NPEs use frontline experience to go beyond traditional roles, contributing to healthcare innovation by identifying systemic challenges, influencing decisions at all levels, and educating
and empowering their peers. As creative problem solvers and cross-sector connectors, they challenge outdated systems and positively disrupt the status quo for radical improvements. Leadership, initiative, and resilience enable them to persist and
stay focused on sustainable solutions. Visionary by nature, NPEs see beyond immediate challenges, imagining and taking concrete steps toward a better future.
The NPEC has developed a robust ecosystem of resources, including a website, infographics, newsletters, and more. The website serves as a central hub, housing created and curated content while showcasing its mission, vision, and core values. Simple yet
impactful infographics guide new participants through steps to build and refine skills. All materials are free and available online, enabling nurses to learn at their own pace. Participants find value in the NPEC and leave the cafés feeling
inspired. This content fueled remarkable growth in 2024, marking over 8,500 engagements across platforms. Video recordings exceeded 30 watch hours, viewed by 270+ unique
participants—a 36% increase from the previous year. The newsletter, now distributed via a versatile platform, boasts 100+ subscribers from 11 countries and maintains an impressive
60% open rate. The website attracted 1,000+ users from 30 countries, achieving over 7,000 interactions from most continents within six months. These
metrics highlight NPEC’s expanding influence.
The NPEC’s most impactful initiatives are its thematic speaker series which follow an interactive learning approach modeled on a know one, see one, do one methodology. Each session addresses critical skill sets, and the inclusion of modern technological considerations further equips nurses to navigate today’s complex healthcare landscape. The blog series complements speaker sessions, addressing
topics such as crafting op-eds, fostering meaningful professional connections, offering actionable advice for students, and reflecting on leadership experiences—broadening perspectives and providing practical guidance. An essential skill set model helps assist nurses in recognizing their areas of expertise and opportunities for growth, linking them to resources.
Participants worldwide share personal engagement stories, navigate barriers, and identify enhancers to becoming NPEs. This collective dialogue illuminates the challenges nurses face in stepping into advocacy roles. A common challenge is a lack of confidence.
Many nurses feel their voices are undervalued in policy discussions and don’t initially see themselves as leaders in these spaces. Systemic undervaluation and structural barriers within the institutional frameworks of healthcare settings further
discourage nurses from stepping forward as thought leaders. Limited access to policy education also leaves many nurses feeling unprepared to engage in the process. These challenges represent a universal thread that nurses face globally. However, nurses
also encounter barriers specific to their unique contexts. Differences in political structures, cultural norms, and professional recognition create distinct obstacles across countries. Understanding and addressing this is essential for empowering
nurses globally to engage in policy and advocacy.
“I’ve found my people.”
- Jason Kirchick, registered nurse and North America Region 15 Coordinator for Sigma
As the NPEC continuously evolves, the focus remains on responsiveness to participant feedback. It explores new adult learning modalities, such as "5-min academy” pod classes—short, skill-focused video tutorials designed to enhance understanding
of each essential skill set. Experienced participants are encouraged to share their journeys and insights at nursing schools, professional associations, and other venues, inspiring next-generation NPEs through virtual internships, mentorship opportunities,
and hands-on exposure to policy advocacy. This facilitates an inviting, approachable group mentorship space, often lacking or less accessible in traditional spaces. Many have noted the importance of the supportive community environment cultivated
by the café, which has been instrumental in their professional development. Central to its core, the NPEC values deep democracy for the collaboration of all participants, honoring shared learning from diverse perspectives and striving to ensure
content and offerings are relevant across regions, cultures, and experiences. A standout initiative of 2024 was the development of the interactive global cafés networking map,
which enables participants to share cross-border collaborations and knowledge-sharing opportunities, serving as a launchpad for joint projects and mutual learning. Deeply engaged participants can transition as facilitators for additional global café
sessions, using newfound applications to contribute to meaningful healthcare reform across regions. For example, the NPEC played a key role in supporting the development of a multidisciplinary grant proposal for the Ise Descendants Union (IDU) that
included agricultural experts, economists, public health specialists, and local government and community leaders in Ekiti, Nigeria, using the café setting. This initiative aims to train 100 local farmers to implement sustainable agricultural
practices. NPEC participants, leveraging their translatable professional skills—including resource allocation (i.e., case management), strategic planning or program management (i.e., the ADPIE nursing process), and standardized interprofessional
communication (i.e., using SBAR)—acted as consultants and facilitators integrating a health-in-all-policies approach. By applying their unique nursing lens and skill expertise, NPEs helped strengthen a demonstration of the project’s projected
impact in alignment with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2 (Zero Hunger), 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), and 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). NPEs can be catalysts for sustainable policy change, translating foundational nursing competencies
into high-level policy engagement, advancing population health and planetary well-being in partnership with the SDGs.
The NPEC’s accomplishments demonstrate the power of grassroots initiatives in creating meaningful change. A platform for nurses to connect, learn, and collaborate, the NPEC has shown unfunded, volunteer-driven efforts can have a global impact. As
nurses become NPEs, they bring a unique perspective to the table, informed by holistic patient care, and a deep understanding of community needs.
We invite all nurses and students to join this transformative movement. Whether you are beginning your journey in policy or a seasoned advocate, the NPEC offers a space to grow, connect, and make a difference. Through collaboration and shared learning,
we can build a future where nurses are not only the most trusted but also the most desired leaders in healthcare reform.
Grace Kistner, RN, DTN, MMHA, BSBA, CCRN, CSSLHPM, has been in healthcare and promotion since 2007. Her passion for global health, sustainability, advocacy, justice, and empowerment drives her approach to Health in All Policies (HiAP). She is cross-sector credentialed, and multi-degree awarded, with education across four continents. Her leadership skills have facilitated clinic teams worldwide, supported non-governmental organizations, and contributed to pivotal policy reforms. She is a member of Sigma’s Phi Gamma Chapter.
Ongelique Conflenti, MSc, RN, is the Nurse Program Coordinator for the Lung Cancer Screening Program at Weill Cornell Medicine. She is deeply committed to advancing health equity locally and globally through nursing excellence, advocacy, and policy engagement. Her passion for climate action, sustainable development, and expanding access to quality care motivates her work to create a healthier, more equitable world. She is a member of Sigma’s
Phi Gamma Chapter.