Lobby Days

2026 Lobby Day | Tuesday, January 20

In-Person | Virginia State Capitol

About Lobby Day

VNA's Lobby Day is a day to advocate for nurses and the nursing profession at the General Assembly! We will be meeting about 2026 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.

Before the meeting, we will encourage all attendees to contact one or both of their legislators to set up an individual meeting, but this is optional! VNA will provide the materials about our policy platform to leave behind and tips for having successful meetings. Nurse leaders, VNA staff, and team leaders will be on hand to guide you every step of the way! Attendees will be grouped based on VNA's 12 geographic chapters and led by experienced VNA nurse members to guide conversations with legislators. No nursing contact hours are awarded for this event.

2026 Lobby Day Date & Registration

2026 Lobby Day date:

Tuesday, January 20 @ 8am
Alernate Lobby Day / Inclement Weather / Overflow Registration Date: Tuesday, January 27

Individual Registration

Group Registration for Students or Health Systems
If you would like to bring a group of 10 or more nurses or nursing students, please download and fill out our Lobby Group Registration Form and send it to VNA's Communications & Advocacy Manager, Elle Buck, at ebuck@viginianurses.org.

Lobby Day Agenda

BEFORE LOBBY DAY
OPTIONAL: Schedule meetings with your legislators ahead of time to ensure you're seen. This is not mandatory and groups can still have visits with legislators and their staff without having a prior meeting set up. Each legislator handles meeting requests differently so you'll want to find out who your legislators are then reach out via phone or email to request a meeting!

Review the primer video below [example below of a past lobby day primer video] and additional materials emailed to you from VNA staff on what legislation we're following, why it's important, and how to meet with your legislators.

ON LOBBY DAY - TUES. JAN. 20

7:30AM: We recommend arriving a little early to find parking. More information on parking is available in tab directly below this one. Sometimes there is a line to enter the building so plan to dress accordingly based on the weather! All building visitors are required to pass through metal detector screening. The building is ADA accessible, with ramp entrances. Lab coats and nurse buttons and badges are encouraged!
8:00AM-9:00AM: A welcome and legislative run-down will be provided by VNA staff and our lobbyists, then Team Leaders pick up packets and depart for meetings. We encourage you to take team photos during this time! Please send them to ebuck@virginianurses.com!
9:45AM-11:45AM: Teams meet with legislators, discuss legislation, share personal statements and deliver handouts. We encourage you to take team photos with legislators during this time! Please send them to ebuck@virginianurses.com!
11:45AM: Teams head to the Senate & House Gallery to watch the noon sessions. (optional)

AFTER LOBBY DAY

Follow-up: Please send any feedback or photos to VNA's Communications & Advocacy Manager, Elle Buck, at ebuck@virginianurses.com.
Sign up for VNA's Action Alerts: receive real-time alerts on legislation and contact your legislators in just a few clicks!
SIGN UP NOW!
Stay in touch: Contact your legislators year-round with our online Advocacy Action Center!
Autumn Advocacy: Follow-up with your legislators this fall at VNA's annual, online Legislative Advocacy Hours! These free events are open to all nurses, not just VNA members, and are broken up by geographic region.
Learn & Earn CE at VNA's Legislative Summit: Virtual, annual, and critical for Virginia nurses to stay informed on the latest nursing legislative trends and movements. Learn more!

Location & Parking

VCU SCHOOL OF NURSING ADDRESS - Welcome, Kick-Off & March to the Capitol Location
1100 E. Leigh Street
Richmond, VA 23298

GENERAL ASSEMBLY BUILDING ADDRESS - Legislator Visits Location
General Assembly Building
201 North 9th Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219

VIRGINIA CAPITOL ADDRESS - Optional Noon House & Senate Sessions Location
A tunnel is available on the bottom floor of the General Assembly building for indoor travel to this location.
1000 Bank Street
Richmond, VA 23218

Parking:

More information to come!

Lobby Day Materials

Legislator Visits Made Easy
2026 Public Policy Platform (check back soon!)
Who's My Legislator
Advocacy Primer
Sample Phone & Email Script
Sample Social Media Post Script

2025 Public Policy Platform & Bill List

Nursing's 2026 Public Policy Platform

We seek the following commitments from the commonwealth on behalf of Virginia’s more than 140,000 registered and advanced practice nurses.

(Check back soon!)

VNA's 2026 Bill List
(Check back soon!)

Sign up for VNA Action Alerts

FAQs

What’s a Lobby Day?

It’s a day to advocate for nurses and the nursing profession! We will meet with legislators to talk about 2026 legislation and issues including workplace violence protections and much more.

What if I’ve never met with a legislator before?

Don’t worry! We will have staff and experienced nurses to help lead the way, as well as prepared talking points and leave-behind sheets. Additionally, we will have a pre-session training webinar available, which will optionally be available online.

Do I have to be a VNA member?
No! We encourage ALL nurses and nursing students to join us. Please share this information with anyone who might be interested!

View a recording of a virtual VNA Lobby Day