Thank you to the 400 attendees and 22 exhibitors that participated in Nurses Day at the Capitol!  We kicked the day off at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum with a nurse leader panel focused on Nurses, Engagement, and Advocacy. These nurses shared insight on why they are engaged in advocacy, why all nurses should be, how they encourage nurses to get involved, and why they advocate for the nurses. 

We are grateful to the nurse leaders who served on this panel, including Keith Reed, RN, MPH, CPH, Commissioner, Oklahoma State Dept of Health; Kerri Bayer, MSN, RN, Senior Vice President, CNE, INTEGRIS Health; Karyl James, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, Regional CNO, Mercy Hospitals in Oklahoma; Amanda Spencer, MSN, APRN-CNP, Co-Chair Advance Practice Nurses Oklahoma – ONA Chapter; and Stephanie Keesee, MSN, APRN-CNP, Co-Chair Advance Practice Nurses Oklahoma – ONA Chapter. They were inspirational and clearly demonstrated why nurses should be at the table affecting change.

Following the panel, ONA’s Lobbyist, Vickie White Rankin, organized a group to role-play the process legislation takes to become law, including the advocacy by interested groups. She then shared her Rising to the Good presentation. Attendees were then given directions of what to do at the Capitol, and were well received by legislators. A great day and experience for all!

View the photo album

(Please note, you must be logged into Facebook to view)