Students visit state capital

Nursing students from throughout Missouri gathered in Jefferson City for the Missouri Nurses Association’s 2009 Advocacy Day on Feb. 25.

The event encouraged future nurses to get involved in the political process, both as an advocate for health care and as a resource to local legislators.

“Legislators respect you, their constituents,” said Maryann Coletti, a chairwoman for MONA’s Government Affairs Committee. “The best time to get to know them is prior to an election.”

About 500 nursing students attended Advocacy Day. These students had the opportunity to talk to their legislators during the event.

Coletti said face-to-face meetings are the best way to discuss issues with legislators.

“Be focused on one issue if possible but definitely don’t have a grocery list,” Coletti said. “Always remember to say thank you.”

Coletti encouraged nurses to follow up the meetings with e-mails to their legislators.

“Be brief, be courteous, use a one-page format whenever possible,” she said. “Ask for a reply and their position on the issue.”

Meetings with legislators are incorporated into Advocacy Day every year.

“Usually they are really receptive to nurses,” said MONA Chief Executive Officer Jill Kliethermes, APRN, BC, FNP.

Nurses and nursing students joined other health care advocates at the Capitol to hear Gov. Jay Nixon speak about the importance of health care access for all Missourians.

“Reducing the number of uninsured Americans is not just the right thing to do. It’s the smart thing to do for our economy,” Nixon said. “We all agree that a healthier work force is a more productive work force.”

Advocacy Day participants spoke to legislators about a measure that would allow physical therapists to take orders from Advanced Practice Registered Nurses. Participants also encouraged an increase in school-nurse pay to make it equal to that of teachers and asked that a registered nurse be added to the membership of the MO HealthNet Oversight Committee.

MONA also supports a bill that would change the eligibility requirements for the Nursing Student Loan program to include part-time students enrolled in master’s and doctorate level programs.

For more information about these legislative items, visit www.missourinurses.org

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