About 75 students from the Washington State University College of Nursing learned more about advocacy and government Monday in an annual event sponsored by the Washington State Nurses Association.
Students from College of Nursing programs in Spokane, the Tri-Cities and Yakima took part in WSNA Advocacy Camp. The Inland Empire Nurses Association sponsored the cost of the bus and driver from Spokane.
The WSU College of Nursing has sent groups of students to the annual event for about a decade, said Debbie Brinker, assistant dean of clinical affairs and one of the five college faculty who accompanied the students to Olympia.
“The goal is to better understand nursing’s influence in health policy and for students to work on their advocacy skills,” Brinker said. “Students can use those skills in policy advocacy, and in their jobs as RNs or Advanced Practice Registered Nurses.”
Another benefit is to bring students together from the three sites to meet each other and network, Brinker said.
“It’s also a good way to highlight for state legislators WSU’s impact on the nursing profession in Washington,” she said.
–Story by Addy Hatch, photos by Debbie Brinker
Faculty members, left to right: Kay Olson, Theresa Barenz, Laura Hahn, Sarah Griffith, and Debbie Brinker.
