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| Nursing Policy |
“The function of the TNA is to initiate and influence legislation, - TNA Bylaws, Article I, Section 3c Since the Texas Nurses Association was founded in 1907, one of its primary purposes has been to represent and support all segments of nursing practice by working with the state legislature and stakeholders. In addition to the work of our members, we also offer a DNP Policy Fellowship program for students and support student policy advocacy. For nurses who want to get more involved, TNA hosts a biennial Nurse Day at the Capitol (since 1999) for nurses and students to meet their state legislators and staff and learn more about the legislative process and what actions they can take on a state level.
Learn more about the Nursing Legislative Agenda Coalition (NLAC) here and join us! PDFs will be published as they are approved by TNA's Policy Council and Board of Directors. Policy Positions
Previous Policy Positions
NLACThe Nursing Legislative Agenda Coalition (NLAC) is a coalition of nursing organizations around Texas that join together to share ideas, strategies, and priorities for nursing issues during the Texas Legislature. Each legislative session, NLAC lobbies the Capitol to support a nursing legislative agenda that the coalition developed and agreed upon during the interim. This joint effort raises the stakes for legislators by including tens of thousands of nurses on each agenda item and amplifying our collective voice on issues that would not be possible by any individual organization alone. NLAC will meet biannually in 2024 to create the 2025 Nursing Legislative Agenda. Learn more about NLAC here.
Policy Process
The Policy Council meets during the interim as do the standing Policy Council committees: Nursing Education and Workforce, Nursing Regulation and Practice Authority, Workplace Advocacy and Practice. These members explore and develop policy on some of the most pressing issues facing health care and nursing, with input from dozens of TNA members through issue advisors, who are instrumental in assisting with research and development of policy documents. Once policies have been approved by the Policy Council and the Board of Directors, they help guide the work of the Government Affairs Committee during the legislative session. The GAC's role is to track bills, strategize about furthering the nursing agenda and work with lawmakers, either directly or through GAC liaisons. All published documents are edited by TNA's CEO, Director of Practice, and Director of Communications.
Become a GAC LiaisonLiaisons help connect the TNA Government Affairs Committee with lawmakers from their region. During the legislative session, we may ask them to let legislators know about issues coming up for a vote. In the interim, liaisons develop or strengthen their relationships with state lawmakers, providing them with a trusted expert to call for input on nursing and health care issues. Liaisons also help the GAC get to know candidates running for office through candidate interviews. Send an email to governmentalaffairs@texasnurses.org and let us know you're interested! Join a CommitteeThe TNA Board of Directors makes appointments to committees and councils following their annual strategic planning. Periodically the Board fills vacancies or appoints just-in-time committees or task forces based on emerging issues. Please review the committee information provided here and complete the short interest form indicating your interest. |
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