JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI -- Missouri nurses advocate for the improvement of health care in Missouri. Around 600 registered nurses (RNs) and nursing students from across Missouri visited the State Capitol on February 22, to attend the 25th Annual Missouri Nurses Association (MONA) Nurse Advocacy Day “From Advocacy to Policy”.
Nurse Advocacy Day is intended to increase awareness of the political process for all nurses and nursing students. This daylong event expanded registered nurses’ understanding of the legislative process and provided them with effective techniques for advocating for their patients and practice, as nurses are an integral part of Missouri’s healthcare system.
The Missouri Nurses Association is monitoring many health care related issues during this year’s legislative session. During MONA Nurse Advocacy Day, the nurses will focus on four legislative priorities: Adding a nurse to the Missouri Health Net Oversight Committee; Expanding the scope of criminal penalties applied to those who assault healthcare workers; Utilizing current licensure fees to create the “Caring for Missourians” program; and establishing the Prompt Credentialing Act.
Maryann Coletti, BS, RN, chairperson of the MONA Government Affairs Committee, began the day’s events outlining why legislative advocacy is important and identifying MONA’s key legislative priorities. Kyna Iman, MONA lobbyist, also shared with the participants what is needed from each nurse in the state to be successful at the Capitol. Participants then travelled to the Capitol to observe the legislative process in action.
After nurses visited legislators in the Capitol, MONA’s 25th Annual Nurse Advocacy Day featured a presentation titled, “Advocating through Legislation: One Nurse Can Make a Difference” by Rebecca McClanahan, MSN, RN, at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City. She highlighted how nurses can and do make a difference and how nurses can advocate for patients, healthcare and professional nursing in various ways. Former Representative McClanahan shared why she chose to advocate in the halls of the State Capitol.
MONA recognized the recipients of the 2011 Excellence in Health Care Legislation Award during the luncheon at the Capitol Plaza Hotel. This year’s recipients were Representative Jeanne Kirkton, District #91, Representative Sue Allen, District #92 and Former Senator Wes Shoemyer, District #18.
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