A Phenomenological Approach to Political Competence: Stories of Nurse Activists

Political competence is the skills, perspectives, and values needed for effective political involvement within nursing's professional role. Political competence is requisite within nursing to (a) intervene in the broad socioeconomic and environmental determinants of health, (b) intervene effectively in a culturally diverse society, (c) partner in development of a humane health care system, and (d) bring nursing's values to policy discussions. This phenomenological study used narratives of 6 politically expert nurse activists to enhance our understanding of political competence. Six themes emerged from an analysis of the lived experience of their political involvement. They include nursing expertise as valued currency, opportunities created through networking, powerful persuasion, commitment to collective strength, strategic perspectives, and perseverance. These themes can inform development toward greater political efficacy for individual nurses and for the profession collectively.