inspires and motivates you within nursing and health care. Whether it ' s advocating for patient safety, supporting your fellow nurses, or advancing educational opportunities, understanding your personal interests will guide your advocacy journey. Identifying the issues that matter most to you not only fuels your commitment but also makes your efforts more impactful and authentic. When you pursue advocacy that aligns with your deepest convictions, you ' ll find greater satisfaction, resilience, and purpose as you work to make a difference in the profession and beyond.
5. Consider joining a professional organization that aligns with your area of expertise or career aspirations. Active participation in such organizations provides access to established advocacy platforms and valuable resources, enabling you to advance your interests collaboratively rather than independently.
Conclusion: Advice for Nursing Students
Engaging with legislators can initially seem daunting. It is important to recognize that, as nurses, we hold expertise within our field, and policymakers rely on this knowledge to inform their decisions. I have learned to communicate our perspectives effectively by integrating data and personal experiences to present a compelling story. These skills proved valuable during Capitol Hill visits, where clear and relevant narratives enhanced the impact of our advocacy. With experience, I have refined these abilities and now participate confidently in interviews and provide testimony. These opportunities have allowed me to develop advanced competencies in message development, effective delivery, and managing complex interactions.
Capitol Hill is exciting and empowering. Here is my advice for students: be prepared, practice with your peers, and be open to building relationships regardless of political preference. Often, you’ ll meet with legislative assistants(“ staffers”), who serve as liaisons to legislators. Don’ t be discouraged— staffers are knowledgeable, ask great questions, and can be valuable allies. Try to connect with them personally, whether by asking about their background or if they know any nurses. These connections help make you memorable and aid in building long-term relationships.
You don’ t need to travel to Washington, DC, to make a difference. Consistent communication— like sending emails about important issues or following up after meetings— builds relationships and keeps your advocacy efforts top of mind for policymakers.
The skills you gain through advocacy— like communication, relationship-building, and conflict management— are transferable to all levels of nursing leadership. As future nursing professionals, it’ s essential that you use your voice and experiences to tell your story. If you don’ t, someone else will. My belief in the power of advocacy continues to drive me, and this journey has shaped my career and aspirations. I encourage you to advocate for your profession and patients, educate public officials, and help shape the future of healthcare for both patients and providers.
Bio
Rachel Culpepper, DNP, RN, CENP, is the Director of Clinical Operations at Indiana University Health West Hospital. Dr. Culpepper is a Registered Nurse with 16 years of experience and has been in nursing leadership for a decade. Dr. Culpepper is a member of the Board of Directors for the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, representing Region 5 which includes Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan), and serves as an affiliate board member for the Indiana Organization for Nursing Leadership and is the co-chair of the Legislative Committee. In her role on the AONL board, Dr. Culpepper is a founding member of the Nurse Leaders in Advocacy program and contributes to its advisory council. She has advocated at the federal level for seven years, the last five with AONL. She chairs the AONL Education Committee and is actively involved in the Workforce Steering Committee as the Learning Community lead and participates in the newly established Workplace Violence Coalition. Her professional focus is on advancing nursing leadership and advocating for patient access
to care.
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