As one of more than 3.6 million nurses in the United States, you are in the unique position to share your professional insights to influence policy at all levels of government. Aiding important initiatives to gain state and national attention is an important part of professional nursing advocacy. After all, as the number one most trusted profession in the country (Norman, J., 2016), nurses can really make a difference in the policy arena to effectively advocate for patients. One way to ensure effective advocacy is to contact and enlist the support of those in positions of power. In this Assessment, you will compose a 1- to 2-page letter to a legislator concerning a local, state, or national policy and that is similar to those that come across the desks of legislators every day. (Note: You must select a different policy than one you chose for previous Competencies in this Area of Expertise). This activity allows you to share your nursing expertise with a legislator and to inform that legislator of current research that supports a policy position. Step 1: Choose a local, state, or national policy issue that is of concern to you. Go to the American Nurses Association (ANA) web page—Advocacy at https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/advocacy/  to read about current nursing policy issues in the United States. Step 2: Locate legislators or policymakers in your city, state, or country who you will contact regarding your selected policy. You can find a list of local legislators in the United States at: OpenStates. (n.d.). Find your legislators. https://openstates.org/find_your_legislator/ USA.gov. (n.d.). How to contact your elected officials. https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials Step 3: Draft a letter suggesting a policy change. Read pg. 22—23 of the AACN’s “From Patient Advocacy to Political Action: AACN’s Guide to Understanding Healthcare Policy and Politics” at http://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/Policy/PDF/AACNPolicyHandbook_2010.pdf to view a sample letter. Using the AACN sample letter as a guide, format your letter as follows: Describe your education and career experiences; Describe your qualifications and expertise in a policy area using at least two examples; Analyze the critical role nurses play in improving care, as they are at the point of care; Summarize the key points of your chosen policy; Defend your stance on the policy using at least two current, scholarly resources in support of your position; and Recommend at least two actions for change with regards to the selected policy. Note: Be respectful, professional, and direct with your written request. Avoid using arguments of emotion and focus only on those arguments based in fact.