Episode 7 of the Frontier Nursing University (FNU) All-Access Podcast introduces a fascinating discussion about the importance of advocacy and what it means to be an advocate for nursing care and autonomy. FNU faculty member Dr. Vicky Stone-Gale, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP, details her experiences as an advocate for nurse practitioners in Florida, where she lives and practices.

Dr. Stone-Gale details how she was first introduced to the idea of advocacy and how that led her to begin speaking out publicly about the healthcare gaps in Florida and the role that nurse practitioners could play in resolving those issues. She details her meetings with legislators, public speaking engagements, and collaboration with physicians to ultimately bring about new legislation and essential change.

Dr. Stone-Gale also explains her motivation for becoming an advocate, the importance of finding allies, and the role that other faculty, practitioners, students, and supporters can play in their own communities.

What You’ll Learn From This Episode:

• What it means to be an advocate and how to become one.
• Why advocating for legislation to increase nursing autonomy matters and how it impacts the overall health of the community.
• How advocacy led to new legislation in Florida allowing for autonomous practice for nurses.
• Why Dr. Stone-Gale won the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) State Advocacy Award for 2022.