Dr. Jean Hill and Professor Anne-Marie Jones took 4 juniors (Nikki Thompson, Kim Parker, Kinsey Roten, and Matthew Newell) and 3 seniors (Jackie Massey, Meghan Sherman, and Sean Snyder) from the WCU chapter of the Association of Nursing Students (ANS) to Raleigh for the "Nurses' Day at the Legislature" event on March 18. This event was sponsored by the North Carolina Nurses' Association (NCNA). Students and faculty spent the day listening to lobbyist speak on topics such as healthcare, nursing and nursing education. This was followed by a march down to the Capitol and Legislative buildings to attend a rally on the lawn and listen to several western North Carolina representatives speak, including Phil Haire, Joe Sam Queen, John Snow and Mike Nesbitt.

Students enjoyed the opportunity to march in their white lab coats and participate in the political process and events that shape how decisions about healthcare are made. Students also experienced how easy but important it is to make contact and be a voice for change, for healthcare and for nursing education by making contact with our local and state representatives.