Years ago, the Virginia Nurses Association created the Kitchen Cabinet. The name harkens back to the days of Andrew Jackson and is a reference to his reliance as president on his personal colleagues for advice as opposed to his official cabinet. The term was coined in a mocking way, recognizing his adversarial demeanor and contrary approach to the politics of the day. The term was later used to simply reference informal advisers, and when VNA began its Kitchen Cabinet, it was for the purpose of vetting gubernatorial candidates (VNA no longer endorses any political candidates). 

In 2020, it became the Virginia Legislative Nursing Alliance, and its purpose was to convene leaders from specialty nursing organizations to discuss legislative priorities and annually develop the Public Policy Platform for nursing. The number of nursing organizations participating in VLNA has continued to grow, as has its recognition among legislators and state policymakers. Collectively, we can have a far greater impact on the future of nursing and healthcare in the commonwealth.

The purpose of the group is two-fold:

• It’s a great opportunity for all participating organizations to discuss their legislative priorities and
• This group identifies the 4-6 priorities that will be included on Nursing’s Public Policy Platform
  

If you are interested in learning more about the Virginia Nursing Legislative Alliance, please contact VNA Communications & Advocacy Manager Elle Buck at ebuck@virginianurses.com.

• American Nurse Advocacy Institute
  
• American Psychiatric Nurses Association, Virginia Chapter
  
• International Association of Forensic Nurses
  
• National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health
  
• National Black Nurses Association, Central Virginia Chapter
  
• Virginia Chapter of National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
  
• Philippine Nurses Association, Virginia Chapter
  
• Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates, Virginia Chapter
  
• Virginia Affiliate of the American College of Nurse Midwives
  
• Virginia Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists
  
• Virginia Association of Community Psychiatric Nurses
  
• Virginia Association of Community Services Boards
  
• Virginia Association of Nurse Anesthetists
  
• Virginia Association of School Nurses
  
• Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners
  
• Virginia League for Nursing
  
• Virginia Nurses Foundation
  
• Virginia Nursing Students' Association