Olivet Nazarene University

 

Nursing students at Olivet Nazarene University received a first-hand encounter with how legislation will impact their future patients and healthcare on Friday, Oct. 23.

After recently launching the first-ever initiative to have two graduation opportunities for nursing students, in December and May, a new political opportunity for nursing students has been created to meet the different timing needs of this class.

Illinois Representative Lisa Dugan and head medical executives from two local hospitals came to Olivet’s campus and led a panel discussion.

“We put this together for students because it is important for them to understand the healthcare bills in the Senate and how these will impact patients,” explains Patty Kershaw, nursing professor at Olivet.

Nursing practice is directly impacted by healthcare bills, and educating them on researching and and lobbying for or against actions that would impede patient’s health or rights are imperative to educating nurses holistically.

The gathering was opened to not only nursing students but also political and social science majors.

Traditional May graduates take part in similar lawmaking education every spring by participating in the Student Nurse Political Action Day in Springfield.

Prospective May graduates and nursing students from the entire state of Illinois rally at the Capitol and spend the day presenting research and stances on particular bills of interest to their nursing career.

Since December graduates are unable to attend the rally in the spring, the Department of Nursing brought legislators to them.

“Nurses need to be aware of what healthcare bills are in the Senate and who stakeholders are of the bills,” continues Professor Kershaw.

“We are fortunate to provide our students with this opportunity.”