GNSA Bulletin: April 2026

This Month’s Highlight: Advocacy Isn’t Easy: What Gets in the Way and Why It Still Matters

Advocacy is often described as a core part of nursing, something we are expected to embody from the very beginning of our training. But in reality, advocacy is not always easy, especially as a student.

There are days when showing up in clinical or academic spaces feels heavier than usual. Not because we are unprepared, but because of everything happening around us. The broader healthcare landscape, the policies that impact our patients, the disparities we continue to witness. At times, it can feel like the world is shifting in ways that are difficult to keep up with, let alone change.

In those moments, advocacy can feel isolating. Speaking up may feel like you are the only one noticing something, or the only one willing to say it out loud. There is often no immediate outcome, no clear resolution, and no guarantee that what you said made a tangible difference. That uncertainty can make it harder to show up the next time.

There are also the more familiar barriers. Hierarchy in clinical spaces, the pressure to perform as a student, and the quiet but persistent self-doubt that makes you question whether it is your place to speak at all. Advocacy, in these environments, is not just about knowing what is right. It is about navigating when and how to say it.

But advocacy is not just a verb. It is not only something we do in big, visible moments. It is also how we carry ourselves in the smaller ones. It is the decision to ask one more question, to clarify something for a patient, to pause when something does not feel right. It is consistency, even when it feels like nothing is changing.

What helps is understanding that advocacy is a practice. It builds over time through repetition, reflection, and support. Mentorship matters. So does community. Spaces like GNSA remind us that we are not doing this work alone. Whether through shared experiences, leadership opportunities, or simply connecting with peers who understand these challenges, engagement can make advocacy feel less isolating and remind us that our voices matter.

As graduate nursing students, we are already navigating complex systems while still learning. That in itself can feel overwhelming. But it also means we are already part of the work. Even when it feels small. Even when it feels unseen.

Advocacy does not always lead to immediate change. But that does not mean it is not working. It means we are part of something that requires persistence. And sometimes, showing up is advocacy. Because even the smallest moments of speaking up have the potential to create change.

Mahlon Mathieson, MSN, RN
DNP Student
Columbia University
GNSA Leadership Council Member