To assess the baseline knowledge of nursing leaders regarding political advocacy and healthcare policy.

Although there has been considerable attention to the need for nurses' involvement in health policy, there has not been a prior assessment of the political astuteness of nursing leaders.

Researchers analyzed self-reported data from 101 nursing leaders collected via electronic survey from American Organization for Nursing Leadership members. Descriptive, correlational analysis of data assessing political astuteness and background information was completed.

Half of the nurse leader participants demonstrated slight political astuteness. Nurse executives, including those in chief nursing officer, chief nurse executive, and vice president positions, had higher levels of political astuteness than those in nurse director and manager positions.

Nursing leaders have beginning levels of political astuteness. Formal education is recommended to increase the knowledge base of nurse leaders in the areas of understanding the political and legislative process and the skills needed to advocate regarding healthcare policy, thus increasing their level of political astuteness.