How to Engage With the Legislature

By Elizabeth Clark, DNP, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC

Racing heart. Sweaty palms. Mind filled with thoughts of self-doubt. The first time I spoke to one of my legislators, I could barely get the words out.

Even with anxiety like this, it’s still imperative that we speak out for our profession. Nurses are fully aware of issues within our practice. Funding limitations, access to services, patient safety issues, health disparities, and other obstacles may prevent us from delivering the level of care we believe is necessary for our patients.

The Texas legislature directly affects many of the issues we encounter every day in our profession. It is a moral and professional obligation of nurses to be engaged in legislation.

The legislature’s influence on our profession extends to insurance reimbursement, telemedicine services, quality and safety in the workplace, addressing workplace violence, and providing safeguards to protect nurses. They determine the provision of funding to address the nursing shortage. They also dictate the scope of practice for all of us, deciding what we are allowed, and not allowed, to do. When nurses influence policy, we improve the delivery of healthcare, and serve as advocates for our patients in turn.

Getting to know your legislator

As one of their constituents, your legislator needs to hear the stories only you can tell. They want to know what it is you are worried about, what issues are important to you, and what is your ‘ask.’ Being part of a unified front, such as introducing yourself as a member of the Texas Nurses Association and discussing your issues along with TNA’s initiatives, the legislators will be more likely to remember you.

It’s especially important to speak with your legislator when there is a bill to be introduced during the upcoming legislative session that you feel strongly about, which may include current bills such as:

• Senate Bill 244 which aims to provide loan repayment for Nursing Faculty and is sponsored by Senator Lois Kolkurst.
• House Bill 112 on workplace violence, sponsored by Rep. Donna Howard, that aims to prevent workplace violence at healthcare facilities.
• House Bill 104, sponsored by Rep. Stephanie Klick, which aims to propose student loan repayment for nurses working in long term care facilities.

These are real bills that could significantly support and protect us as nurses. They could save our lives. They could also provide provisions to help address the nursing shortage by increasing nursing faculty to grow nursing schools and teach more nurses, and could provide incentives for nurses to work in long term care facilities, where there is a significant nursing shortage.

Engaging with your legislator:

1. Get to know them; check out their website, see what’s important to them, what their committee assignments are, what their interests are. Follow them on social media.
2. Make an appointment to meet them. Sometimes it’s best to meet first to introduce yourself without an ask. The next meeting will be the “ask.”
3. Think of your “elevator pitch”—what is it you want them to know about? Keep it simple, don’t ramble on. Limit to 30 seconds as your opener. If you have a few minutes after that, you can elaborate. Share a brief personal story, and why it means something to you.
4. Be objective: state facts and avoid personal opinions. Really learn about the topic you’re discussing in case they have questions. You might need to educate them on healthcare topics.
5. Stay professional and poised. You are the expert in healthcare. You know what you’re talking about! If you aren’t speaking to your legislator, they’re listening to someone else.

In summary: be brave, be bold, be confident. Nurses are about 400,000 voices strong in Texas. We have power in numbers and can use our influence for good if we unite. We are the best advocates for our patients and our profession, and our legislators need to hear from us.

Ready to make the plunge? Register for Nurse Day at the Capitol. We'll get you up to date on current nursing and healthcare issues, help you identify opportunities to influence healthcare policy, and work with you to develop a personal advocacy message to take in front of your legislator. Remember: nurses are stronger together. Stand with us at the Capitol this month and get your message out.