The AACNA considers advocacy a cornerstone of nursing. Nurses naturally advocate for their patients within their workplaces and communities, yet legislative and political advocacy are equally vital for advancing both the nursing profession and patient care.

Federal

The American Association of Clinical Nursing Associates (AANCA) is committed to advancing the nursing profession and enhancing healthcare for all. One of our primary strategies for achieving this is through advocacy efforts at the highest levels of government, where policies are formulated, debated, and implemented.

AANCA amplifies the voices of nurses by engaging in lobbying activities with Congress and executive agencies. We provide nurses with the necessary information and tools to directly communicate their perspectives and expertise to policymakers.

In Congress: AANCA works tirelessly to represent nurses' interests by building relationships and educating members of Congress and their staff on both sides of the aisle. We lobby Congress to advance our policy agenda in support of nurses and patients alike.

Agencies & Regulatory Affairs: After Congress passes legislation, federal administrative agencies are tasked with interpreting and implementing these laws through rules and regulations. AANCA closely monitors these agencies to ensure that the voices of U.S. nurses are heard during the regulatory process.

State

The AACNA's Policy & State Government Affairs program diligently monitors trends in nursing-related legislation across states. Each legislative session sees the introduction of over 1,000 bills related to nursing and healthcare, all of which are carefully reviewed.

We offer select reports, offering background and overviews of various issues, along with details on legislation enacted by state. These reports cover a range of topics including scope of practice for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), nurse staffing regulations, protection of the title "nurse," interstate nurse licensure compacts, and measures addressing workplace violence.

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