Students march to state capitol for political action day
More than 20 different nursing schools sent students to annual event in Springfield Heading link
Students at UIC College of Nursing joined hundreds of nursing students from around the state to rally at the Illinois State Capitol on Tuesday, April 18, for the 25th annual Student Nurse Political Action Day.
The event, organized by the American Nurses Association-Illinois, gave students from more than 20 different nursing schools an opportunity to learn about how they can advocate for themselves and their patients through political engagement.
The day began with remarks by UIC Nursing associate dean for academic affairs Elizabeth Aquino, PhD ’13, who is also current president of the American Nurses Association-Illinois, and Susan Swart, EdD, MS ’05, RN, executive director of ANA-Illinois, at the Bank of Springfield Center.
After learning about nursing and healthcare-related legislation in the 103rd General Assembly, students marched to the Capitol steps, holding aloft signs that said, “Future Nurse,” and “Coming to a Hospital Near You.”
Swart’s keynote address was on this year’s theme, “Human first, Nurse second,” which calls attention to the burnout that many nurses are experiencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Becoming a nurse is more than a job—it’s a calling,” Swart said. “Nurses hold the title of ‘nurse’ close to our hearts. But now, more than ever, we’re aware that who we are as people is just as important as who we are as nurses.”
She added: “I want students to come away with a sense of empowerment, knowing they will be the drivers of change in our profession.”