title: Messages for thought leaders and health policymakers.
abstract: Even a well-delivered message is unlikely to be effective if it does not connect to the interests or concerns of the receiver. The messages described here are intended to directly connect the prevention of the future shortage to achieving the interests of health policy thought leaders and policymakers. Link job growth in the national economy to nursing. Link health care reform to nursing. Job growth, economic prosperity, and ensuring the success of health care reform can only occur if there is an increase in the number of RNs who are being produced in the nation's nursing education programs. Develop an effective message so that you are well prepared for the next time you have the ear of a thought leader or health policymaker.
authors.affiliation: Center for Interdisciplinary Health Workforce Studies, Institute for Medicine and Public Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA. Peter.Buerhaus@Vanderbilt.edu
authors.forename: Peter I
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: Buerhaus
mesh_terms: D006291:Health Policy; D007857:Leadership; D011057:Politics; D014481:United States