Complete Story
02/06/2023
Policy Committee
Summary of Webinar-Maximizing Advocacy Efforts: The Power of a Unified Voice
By Stacy Arriola DNP, RN, CNE, ACHNE Policy Committee Member
On November 28th, 2022, the ACHNE Policy Committee hosted a live webinar featuring Rachel Stevenson, MA from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC). Rachel’s leadership experience in policy includes being the Director of Government Affairs for the AACN and Executive Director of NCC. Her presentation focused on the federal level of government with discussion of some ongoing federal legislative priorities and how nurses can be more active in policy efforts.
Rachel shared a shocking statistic that only 3% of bills make it through both the House of Representatives and Senate to the President’s desk. Remember, there is power in the nursing voice and so we must work together to continue advancing practice, education, and research issues that are important in policy!
Key takeaways from this webinar that you can share with nurses and students include the following messages:
Share your story- it is important for Members of Congress to know what is happening on the ground.
Advocate and Collaborate- work with ACHNE and other organizations to have a larger unified voice and send out emails and letters to Members of Congress to inform them what issues should be supported
Connect with your Members of Congress-it is important to reach out to your Members of Congress so they are aware of what is going on and how they can help their constituents. Remember, they represent people who live in their geographic area. To find out who your members of Congress are, go to https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member. You can connect with them through formal or informal conversations in addition to using emails and letters.
If you didn’t have the chance to attend live, you can watch the entire recording. Please click on the link below.
Future Events
The Policy Committee is planning to host another webinar in the first quarter of 2023. Keep an eye out for more information!
