Make an impact!

Term limits taking effect in the Senate meant an unprecedented number of new legislators are implementing the work of the 92nd Legislature. This group includes 50 freshmen in the House (of 110 total) and 27 new Senators (of 38 total). Coupled with a new administration, including the Governor and all new department heads, it's apparent that we have a challenge ahead of us.

Many of the legislators with whom we worked successfully are gone - those who faithfully attended previous Nurses Impact events and had on-going working relationships with nurses from their district. Therefore, our initial efforts with legislators will be focused on building productive working relationships by getting to know them and having them get to know us.

For you, personally, the key message to your legislator is that a physician, administrator, or insurance carrier involved in public policy is not the same as having a nurse involved in the process as well. Although we work in collaboration with other health care professions, we bring a different perspective and expertise to the policy discussion. Our skills: working with groups, teaching, critical thinking and problem-solving make nurses uniquely qualified to participate in the policy arena.

New legislators need to know that nurses are the largest group of health care providers in the state. We are in virtually every health care setting with specialties that address the care of people across the life-span and all along the continuum from health promotion to end-of-life care. Often we are the only group of providers caring for people 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

They need to know that nurses vote, volunteer for campaigns, give money to candidates for office, and contribute to our political action committee. We are politically active, concerned citizens on behalf of our profession, our patients, and our communities.

It's your direct contact with your legislator that will begin and continue the education process. You - the voter, the neighbor, the community member - are the strongest, best, and most direct link to your legislator. We're relying on you to convey the message . . . nurses are here, we are not going away, and we look forward to the opportunity to work with them throughout their legislative career to improve the health of the residents of Michigan.