Nurse Inspired to Pursue Political Activism

Jennifer Otto, RN, was one of few people in the state of Kentucky to witness a moment that would change nurse practitioners lives during the signing ceremony for a bill, Senate Bill 7, that will allow them more independence to practice.

Otto is currently studying to become a Family Nurse Practitioner at Georgetown University. Otto attributes her strong interest in policy related to healthcare to her health policy course, taught by Georgetown faculty member Richard Ricciardi, PhD, NP, and her membership with the Kentucky Coalition of Nurse Practitioners & Nurse Midwives.

“I see myself getting involved further in policy once I graduate,” she says. “Dr. Ricciardi has also been a very positive and energizing force, instilling the necessity to be involved and not become complacent once we graduate. I see firsthand that getting out of the books and clinics and into the pulse of what is transpiring in our industry is a must.”

Kentucky’s Senate Bill 7 will allow nurse practitioners more authority to prescribe non-scheduled medications in collaboration with physicians and routine drugs independently with at least four years of prescribing experience.