Moving Nursing’s Policy Future Forward
At Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, policy education is not an afterthought — it’s a cornerstone of leadership preparation. Through the creation of the Senior Health Policy Advisor role, unique among nursing schools, and the launch of the Policy Honors Program, Hopkins is redefining how nurses engage in systems-level change.
Led by Natalia Barolin, Senior Health Policy Advisor, the Policy Honors Program gives students a 360° view of how policy shapes health outcomes and equips them with the skills to translate evidence into action. Through immersive coursework and mentorship, students learn to analyze policy, inform decision-making, and contribute to solutions that strengthen communities and the profession itself.
This approach reflects a new lens on leadership — one where nurses are not only advocates for change, but architects of it.
Why One Graduate Chose Nursing Over Silicon Valley
Miguel Bustos Bismonte made a bold pivot —leaving a high-tech career at the center of innovation to pursue nursing. He wasn’t stepping away from progress; he was redefining it. Drawn to a field where science, systems thinking, and human connection intersect, he saw nursing as the next frontier for real-world impact.
Now a Johns Hopkins School of Nursing graduate, Miguel applies the same analytical mindset that once shaped cutting-edge technology to the complexities of health care. His story, featured on the On The Pulse podcast, explores how nurses are expanding the boundaries of innovation and shaping the future of care.
Eyes Forward
When a major research grant fell through, Laura Mata López didn’t lose focus, she doubled it. Refusing to let the setback define her work, she and her community partners found new ways to push forward, rebuild the project, and deliver meaningful results. Now completing her PhD at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Laura is proof that focus isn’t just about persistence, it’s about clarity. In the face of uncertainty, she locked in on what mattered most and turned disruption into discovery.
Take Action
Focus Forward
DIGITAL TOOL Kit
The Focus Forward Digital Toolkit was created to help amplify the collective power and purpose of nursing. Around the world, nurses are driving discovery, shaping policy, and leading change that moves health forward. This toolkit makes it easy to share that story.
Inside, you’ll find ready-to-use visuals, social media graphics, and customizable templates that help you highlight the impact of nursing in every setting—from research labs to classrooms to communities.
Every post, presentation, and shared message helps shift how the world sees nursing: not just as a profession, but as a driving force for innovation and equity in health.
Download the toolkit. Share it widely.
Because when nursing leads, health moves forward.
SHARE YOUR STORY
We want to see Focus Forward through your eyes.
Share a photo or short video that shows how you’re living one of the four pillars — whether you’re learning something new, mentoring a classmate, innovating in a lab, or volunteering in the community.