Advocating for patients: School of Nursing students, faculty member attend introduction of ICAN legislation in D.C.

Pictured from left: Megan Bryant, AANA President Dr. Angela Mund and Kristen Cottrill. 

Three West Virginia University School of Nursing representatives attended the September introduction of the ICAN bill in Washington, D.C. to help advocate for expanded access to care for their patients.

Megan Bryant and Kristen Cottrill, both students in the DNP Nurse Anesthetist Program, attended the event, along with Nurse Anesthesia Program lecturer Julie Linton.

“It was important to attend this press conference to help show support for the ICAN Act,” Linton said. “Pro-nursing legislation is pro-patient legislation. Every piece of this bill helps to improve access to care for patients all over the country, including our patients here in West Virginia.”

The ICAN Act, if passed, would help codify some of the changes that were implemented during COVID, such as the elimination of physician supervision for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, Linton said. It would increase access to referrals for cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation for patients who see Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) for their care, and it would allow APRNs to further provide care, such as ordering diabetic shoes or referring patients to hospice care.

“There are rural areas throughout the country, and particularly in West Virginia, where patients would have to travel far from home for some of these needs,” Linton said. “It’s time that patients receive the care they need in their hometown or county without traveling long distances.”

During the event, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) introduced the bill and remarks were given by leaders from APRN organizations, as well as the American Nurses Association.

Bryant and Cottrill also met with members of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) Federal Government Relations staff and AANA President Dr. Angela Mund.

Linton encourages other nurses and student nurses to get involved in advocacy efforts whenever possible.

“Every facet of how we practice and the care we are able to provide our patients relies on legislation and policy,” Linton said. “Nurses have to be involved in the creation and implementation of the laws and regulations that dictate the care we provide. Legislators also need to hear from nurses about the issues that affect us and our patients. We cannot expect them to understand what it is like to be at the bedside caring for patients, so it is essential that we educate them on the issues that matter to us.”

She added, “Nursing has been ranked the most trusted profession for two decades. We are taught from the very beginning of our training that we are patient advocates. It is our responsibility to make sure our elected officials and the public know that value of nurses, and advanced practice nurses in particular. We combine our passion for our patients with our advanced training to provide the health care system with the safest, most cost-effective care possible.”

To learn more about the ICAN Act, visit the AANA or Health Leaders Media.