Priority setting and policy advocacy by nursing associations: A scoping review and implications using a socio-ecological whole systems lens

Abstract Objective We undertook an interpretative scoping review to examine organizational priority setting and policy advocacy and the factors that influence nursing associations’ cross-sector public policy choices and actions. Method Evidence was drawn from research, narrative, and theoretical sources that described priority setting and policy advocacy undertaken by non-governmental, non-profit, and nursing associations. Text was extracted from selected papers, imported into NVivo 8, coded, and analyzed using a descriptive-analytical narrative method. Results Many internal and external factors are shown to shape organizations’ policy choices and actions including governance and governance structures, membership arrangements, legislative, professional, and jurisdictional mandates, perceived credibility, and external system disruptions. Conclusions Internal and external factors are identified in the literature as critical to how organizations succeed or fail to set achievable priorities and advance their advocacy goals. Case comparisons and longitudinal research are needed to understand nursing associations’ policy choices and actions for cross-sector public policy given their complex organizational structures and dynamic professional–legal–social–economic–political–ecological environments. A socio-ecological systems perspective can inform the development of theoretical frameworks and research to understand leverage points and blockages to guide nursing associations’ public policy choices and actions at varying points in time.