As Congress returns to their respective states and districts during the August recess, it is increasingly important that your federal policymakers hear from you. This guide assists AACN members in engaging with their legislators while Congress is in recess and back in their states or districts.
Traditionally, when Congress is "in session," legislators are working in our nation's capital, Washington D.C. When Congress is "in recess," legislators are typically working in their home states and districts connecting with constituents and gaining critical insight on the issues impacting their day-to-day life. As we continue to elevate the needs of academic nursing, August recess provides an opportunity for you to meet with your Members of Congress.
Contact your federal policymakers' office to schedule a virtual or in-person appointment with the Member of Congress or their staff.
The Face of Academic Nursing is a new resource hub highlighting the vital role of Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs and the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) in shaping the future of nursing education and health care. These federal programs are essential to strengthening nursing pathways and maintaining access to high-quality care nationwide.
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The more survey responses we receive, the stronger our case to support Title VIII and NINR programs becomes. Each submission helps AACN build a clearer, nationwide picture of their impact on nursing education and care through the interactive map below.
Site visits are a great opportunity for federal legislators to see firsthand how academic nursing is preparing the nation's nursing workforce to combat current and future health challenges.
Attending town hall meetings or in-person events gives you an opportunity to ask questions and receive updates on important topics affecting your state or district. These can be found by looking at your federal legislators' website.
Contact your local Congressional office to schedule an appointment with a Member of Congress or their staff.
Did you know that the AACN Government Affairs and Policy Team can:
Connect with our team today!
Engage with Members of Congress by:
As an AACN Advocate, you will:
AACN Advocates have sent thousands of messages this year advocating for reauthorizing the Title VIII Programs and funding them in FY 2026, as well as for funding NINR and preserving it as an independent Institute with NIH. We need to keep the momentum going! Sign up to be an AACN Advocate today.
Advocate for important issues impacting academic nursing and follow us on social media.
AACN's State Sheets and One-Pagers
AACN's National Snapshot
A Capitol Hill Dictionary
Contact 草莓社区's Director of Government Affairs, Rachel Minahan at rminahan@aacnnursing.org.