The third group is the “sit back and watch” people, or “do-nothings.” These individuals can be heard making comments such as, “I agree with what you’re saying. I just don’t agree with your means,” “I’m not going to get involved in this,” or “I’m too busy to belong to the organization” (Catalano, 2019).

Overview
The third group is the “sit back and watch” people, or “do-nothings.” These individuals can be heard making comments such as, “I agree with what you’re saying. I just don’t agree with your means,” “I’m not going to get involved in this,” or “I’m too busy to belong to the organization” (Catalano, 2019). The do-nothings tend to be observers, and if the other constituent groups’ efforts are successful, they will join because they feel they have supported the effort from an ideological standpoint. However, they avoid any active involvement in politics. The 18th-century British politician Edmund Burke recognized the danger of the do-nothings. He said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men [and women] to do nothing” (Catalano, 2019).
I
nstructions
Create a 1-page plan of action to help a nurse who has the “sit back and watch” political mindset become more politically active regarding the issue introduced in the Table of Contents scenario.
The plan of action should reflect the concerns of this constituency.
Include the following:
1) The constituent should state two specific concerns or hesitations that prevent them from becoming more active. 2)Your response as a politically active nurse should reflect suggestions or solutions to their concerns.
3)Provide two examples of how their constituency can negatively or positively impact the policymaking process.
Scenario
“You are a community health nurse doing immunizations at a homeless shelter who encounters a resident with serious environmental health concerns. All three of the resident’s children are asthmatics. From the time the family was forced to seek residence in the shelter, the children–particularly the youngest–have had multiple acute asthma episodes. The shelter manager is unwilling to correct the building’s dust, mold, and inadequate heating problems and has told residents that they will be evicted if they complain to the city about the conditions. There is a waiting list for the shelter, as it is the only one available within the city limits. The mother sees no way out for herself and her children. Anxious and distraught, she asks you for help.”
Citation: Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Enhancing Environmental Health Content in Nursing Practice. (1995). Nursing, health, & environment: Strengthening the relationship to improve the public’s health. National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.5860/choice.33-6345