Gardner-Webb Senior-Level Nursing Students Attend Nurses’ Day at the Legislature

Event Includes Advocacy Panel, Keynote Speech by N.C. Gov. Josh Stein and Meetings with Legislators

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Nurses’ Day at the Legislature, an annual event sponsored by the North Carolina Nurses Association (NCNA), brings nurses to Raleigh to meet with state leaders and advocate for issues affecting nurses and the patients they serve. A group of 25 senior-level students from Gardner-Webb University Hunt School of Nursing attended the event.

They were from the Nursing Management and Leadership class and have been learning about elevator speeches, utilizing resources, and advocating. “This was an opportunity to put it all into practice,” noted Dr. Erin Montgomery, assistant professor and chair of the Davis RN-BSN Program. “We focused on several key policy issues, including: Nursing workforce shortages and legislation focused on protecting nurses from violence.”

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein was the keynote speaker. The nurses and nursing students also heard legislative updates on important news and listened to an advocacy panel featuring different political analysts. Hearing from the governor and meeting with lawmakers was the best part of the day for GWU student Akiya Phillips. “Governor Josh Stein spoke to us and gave some inspiring words about advocacy for nurses,” she described. “Another highlight of the day was when Representative Carla Cunningham spoke to us. She is a registered nurse who now serves as a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives.”

The group joined the NCNA to advocate for the SAVE (Safe, Accessible, Value-directed and Excellent Health Care) Act, which has been renamed to the Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) Full Practice Authority Act. Passing this act would allow APRNs to have full practice authority. The NCNA reports that taking this action would save between $650 million and $6.4 billion in North Carolina and increase health access in rural areas.

Phillips prepared for the day by researching issues that negatively affect nurses. “I am happy that I was able to speak with different representatives and answer their questions about why the SAVE Act would allow APRNs to serve larger communities, such as rural areas in North Carolina,” she asserted. “Advocacy is one of the most important roles of a registered nurse. This event was exciting and taught me skills on how to advocate for nurses when speaking to politicians and their assistants.”

One of the students, Sophia Jordan remarked that she was inspired by the sight of over 700 nurses and nursing students as they walked from the Convention Center to the lawn of the legislative offices, where they would speak to lawmakers. Jordan was also encouraged by a speech from Gale Adcock, a nurse practitioner who serves in the North Carolina Senate. “(Adcock) told everyone that their voice matters and that nurses need to be heard,” Jordan related. “She is someone who believes in change and seeks after it. I truly admire her work and her ability to give the crowd confidence before we went in to speak with different representatives.” 

Jordan continued, “Participating in events like this is so important in healthcare. As nurses we are the frontline workers, and we know the changes that need to be sought. There is a lot of misinformation that can be spread so, as young nurses, we need to educate ourselves and push for the change we believe in.”

In addition to attending the NCNA sessions and speaking with lawmakers and legislative assistants, the Gardner-Webb students also attended a committee meeting and sat in the gallery during a General Assembly session.

Gardner-Webb student Erin White, of Shelby, N.C., said participating in the event stressed the importance of advocating for patients and the nursing profession. She had an opportunity to speak with N.C. Senator Ted Alexander about SAVE Act. “I gave him an ‘elevator speech’ to advocate not only for the SAVE act, but for bettering pay for nurse educators,” she said. “His daughter graduated from the Hunt School of Nursing, so he was more than willing to hear us out. He was very nice, and even took notes on what acts we talked about. I was proud to represent Gardner-Webb and nurses in N.C.”

Participating students:

• Anna Bess
• Paris Binard
• Abigail Curtis
• Natallie Dezarn
• Elikem Doe
• Skylar Hardin
• Josephine Holbert
• Gavin Humphries
• Sophia Jordan
• Madison Massie
• Campbell McCarthy
• Aletheia McDowell
• Emily McGraw
• Brianna Payne
• Madison Perkins
• Akiya Phillips
• Laney Qualls
• Mylee Quattlebaum
• Gabriela Rodriguez
• Riley Shanas
• Camden Stratton
• Abigail Tilley
• Katelyn Weaver
• Erin White

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.