2011 Nurse In Washington Internship

Grace Paranzino, EdD, RN, CHES, FAAOHN attended the Nurse in Washington Internship (NIWI) held by the Nursing Organizations Alliance (The Alliance) in Washington, DC, March 13 – March 15, 2011 on behalf of MAOHN.

Paranzino joined more than 80 conference attendees, including registered nurses and nursing students from more than 30 different states. NIWI provides nurses the opportunity to learn how to influence health care through the legislative and regulatory processes. She had the opportunity to attend informative and educational sessions, learn from expert nursing advocates and government officials and network with other nurses.

All of these activities culminated with visits to her members of Congress on Capitol Hill. “Attending the 2011 Nurse in Washington Internship was a valuable and rewarding experience. The dynamic setting was ideal for educational activities and networking with nurses from across the nation. I look forward to sharing my newly gained knowledge to enhance my influence on health care legislation,” says Paranzino. In order to ensure that the nation has an adequate supply of nurses delivering quality care to the patients of today and tomorrow, we asked that Members of Congress take the following three steps:

• Support $313 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 for the Nursing Workforce Development programs at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The Nursing Workforce Development Programs at HRSA support the recruitment, education, and retention of an estimated 36,750. Increased funding of these programs will help the nursing workforce to meet the demands of a reformed health care system. Support $162 million in FY 2012 appropriations funding for the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR). The mission of the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) is to promote and improve the health of individuals, families, communities, and populations. NINR supports and conducts clinical and basic research and research training. NINR seeks to expand nursing science by integrating the biological and behavioral sciences, applying new technologies to address research questions, improving research methods, and developing scientists of the future.
• Show support for nurses by placing a statement in the Congressional Record about the importance of the nursing profession to the health care delivery system. Nurses serve as the backbone of the nation's health care system – treating and educating patients and innovating, researching, and informing efforts to improve health care quality in their own practice settings and across the United States. Congressional recognition of nurses' contributions to our health care delivery system is an important way to express support to, and appreciation of, the nursing profession.