Week 1 | Voter & Civic Engagement Fundamentals

Kick off the month with advocacy basics. Learn how to register to vote or update your voting address, discover who represents you in government, and hear guidance on how a bill becomes law and how to have effective conversations with legislators. Nurses are encouraged to invite colleagues to register to vote and become Voter Registration Ambassadors.

Action Items for Week 1:

1. Register to Vote in Virginia
2. Update your Voting Address 
3. Identify your Legislators - local, state & federal 
4. Explore How a Bill Becomes a Law (video) 
5. Access Tips for Legislator Meetings (video) 

Week 2 | Your Personal Story & Areas of Interest

Advocacy starts with your voice. Participants will identify the issues that matter most to them and learn how to share their personal nursing stories with policymakers. Nurses will be encouraged to reach out to their legislators through messages, letters, or phone calls and participate in a VNA member advocacy webinar available throughout the month.

Week 3 | State-Level Policy & Advocacy

Focus on policies affecting nursing and healthcare in Virginia. Nurses will thank legislators for legislation passed during the most recent General Assembly session, share VNA’s legislative priorities, and sign up for future advocacy opportunities including the 2027 Lobby Day and December 2026 legislative visits.

State-Level Advocacy Resources

• Sign up for VNA's free Action Alerts to receive real-time alerts on nursing and healthcare advocacy news, events and ways to take action, from the Capitol to your couch!
  Sign Up here!

 

• VNA's 2026 Nursing Legislative Summit
  Join us virtually for a powerful day of advocacy, insight, and action at VNA's 2026 Legislative Summit. Explore the most pressing issues impacting nursing and healthcare today all while looking ahead to what’s on the legislative horizon for 2027!
  
  Walk away with practical tools and tips to amplify your voice and understand how state policy decisions affect your practice, your patients, and the future of nursing. We’ll also analyze the upcoming November elections and how nurses can shape the way forward as the largest healthcare profession in Virginia -- and the world!
  
  Registration is just $59 for members, $89 for non-members, and $29 for pre-licensure students. Group rates are available for healthcare organizations and schools of nursing. On-demand access for six months is also included in your registration, meaning you can tune in live or watch when it works best for you.
  Learn More or Register here!
  
  
• 2027 VNA Lobby Day at the State Capitol
  VNA's Lobby Day is a day to advocate for nurses and the nursing profession at the General Assembly! We will be meeting about 2027 legislation, issues impacting the nursing profession, and much more. You’ll also potentially have the opportunity to sit in on a healthcare committee meeting and observe the legislature in session. All nurses and nursing students are welcome to join us - you do not have to be a VNA member to attend. Our session will include an overview of our policy platform, our bill progress, tools for reaching legislators, and talking points to share with them about our current legislation.
  Learn More or join the interest list!
  
  

Week 4 | National-Level Policy & Advocacy

The month concludes with a national advocacy focus leading up to the American Nurses Association’s 2026 Hill Day on June 25. Nurses will have the opportunity to thank federal legislators supporting the profession and send messages advocating for key federal legislation impacting nursing and healthcare.

2026 ANA Hill Day | Thursday, June 25 | 8AM-5PM
Free for VNA & ANA Members & Students | $45 - Nonmembers

• Bring the voice of nursing directly to Congress, join us for ANA Hill Day! This is an exciting opportunity to meet face-to-face with members of the 119th Congress and their staff and drive real impact. Lawmakers need to hear from nurses like you as they consider legislation that will impact your practice and the patients you serve. ANA Hill Day is your annual chance to unite with fellow nurses and nursing students in our Nation’s Capital.
  Register here!

 

National-Level Advocacy Resources

• Sign up for ANA's free RN Action Society to receive real-time alerts on nursing and healthcare advocacy news, events and ways to take action, from the Capitol to your couch!
  Sign Up here!
  

Throughout June, VNA will host in-person legislator meetings across the state, open to both members and nonmembers. These meetings will last approximately 20-30 minutes and are free and open to the public. 

PLEASE NOTE: These meetings are introductory in nature and will not focus heavily on policy. VNA Chapter Leaders will have talking points developed by VNA to guide the meeting conversation. VNA-led policy meetings will be held in December. Registration will be limited to 20 registrants to meet occupancy regulations. VNA will not be providing transportation to meetings. The meeting address will be provided in the registration confirmation email.

 

Piedmont Chapter Meeting with Delegate Amy Laufer
Wednesday, June 3 | 3 - 3:30pm | Crozet, VA
Registration has closed

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Northern Virginia Chapter Meeting with Senator Barbara Favola
Friday, June 5 | 10 - 10:30am | N. Arlington, VA
Register here!

 

Check back soon for more meetings!

Advocacy Resources

• Sign up for VNA's free Action Alerts to receive real-time alerts on nursing and healthcare advocacy news, events and ways to take action, from the Capitol to your couch!
  Sign Up here!
  

 

• American Nurses Association In-District Meeting Guide
  

  This In-District Meeting Guide provides resources for engaging with your federal legislators back home. You’ll find information on how to schedule meetings, a day-of checklist, suggested follow up language, resources, templates, and more.   

  view or download

 

• American Nurses Association Get Out The Vote (GOTV) Toolkit
  

  This toolkit is for ANA members, Constituent/State Nurses Associations, and nurses interested in increasing civic engagement and voter participation.  

  view or download

 

 

Advocacy Continuing Education & Networking

• 2026 VNA & VNF Fall Conference
  November 20 & 21 | Short Pump, VA
  Learn More

Check back soon!

Have questions about this event?  
Contact VNA Communications & Advocacy Manager Elle Buck at ebuck@virginianurses.com.