May 2026

Advocacy & Engagament

NCC Thanks Congress for Introducing a Resolution Honoring and Recognizing National Nurses Week 2026

On May 29, all sixty-five members of the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC) signed onto a letter thanking the leadership of the House and Senate Nursing Caucuses, along with 23 bipartisan members in the Senate, for introducing S.Res.709 and H.Res.1264 – a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week, to be observed from May 6 through May 12, 2026.

NCC Submits Testimony to Senate Appropriations LHHS-ED Subcommittee

On May 21, sixty-one members of the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC) signed onto written testimony submitted to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. The testimony featured the NCC’s funding requests of at least $610 million for the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs and at least $215 million for the National Institute of Nursing Research in Fiscal Year 2027.

NCC Advocacy Day and Thank a Nurse Reception

On May 12, the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC) hosted an Advocacy Day and “Thank a Nurse Reception” on Capitol Hill. More than forty NCC members participated in over thirty meetings with members of Congress and their staff to advocate for key NCC priorities. Reception attendees were joined by congressional staff and two members of Congress. For additional photos and information, see below and visit the NCC’s Events page. 

NCC Sends Letter to Congress Outlining Top Legislative Priorities During National Nurses Week

On May 11, all sixty-five members of the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC) signed onto a letter urging Congress to take action on top appropriations and legislative priorities that impact nursing education, workforce, and research. This letter comes as we celebrate National Nurses Week 2026.

NCC Statement on the Department of Education’s Final Rule on Student Loan Limits

On May 1, the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC) issued a statement expressing extreme disappointment at the exclusion of post-baccalaureate nurses from the professional degree category in the Department of Education’s final rule addressing student loan limits. We remain united in our commitment that nursing needs to be a professional degree.

Events & Meetings

The Nursing Community Coalition held a virtual monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

NCC Connections

• Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research (FNINR) is accepting self-nominations for positions on its Board of Directors. To learn more and apply for a position by June 21, 2026, click here.
• RSVP today! The Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA) is hosting a congressional briefing on improving cardiovascular outcomes on June 24, 2026 from 12:00 – 1:00 pm (EST) in Washington, DC. For more information and to register, click here.
• The National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) is holding its annual conference from July 28-August 2, 2026 in St. Louis, MO. For more information and to register, click here.
• FNINR is hosting its annual NightinGala on October 7, 2026 in Washington, DC. For more information and to register, click here.
• DNPs of Color is holding its annual conference from October 15-18, 2026 in Detroit, MI. For more information and to register, click here.
• The Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC) is holding its annual conference from November 12-14, 2026 in San Diego, CA. For more information and to register, click here.
• American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing (AAPACN), in collaboration with Long Term Care 100 (LTC 100), released findings from their newest survey on the factors driving nurse retention and turnover in long-term care. See AAPACN’s press release.

In Case You Missed It…

• Nursing as a Professional Degree Updates
  • On May 7, House Nursing Caucus Vice Co-Chair, Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02), introduced the Nursing is a Professional Degree Act (H.R.8691). This bill would explicitly classify post-baccalaureate nursing programs as “professional degrees” under the Higher Education Act, making it easier for nurses to pursue these degrees. On May 19, Senate Nursing Caucus Co-Chairs, Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Roger Wicker (R-MS), introduced a companion bill in the Senate (S.4568).
  • On May 7, House Nursing Caucus Vice Chair Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), House Nursing Caucus Vice Co-Chair, Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), Rep. John Mannion (D-NY-22), Senate Nursing Caucus Co-Chair, Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) announced they will introduce a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to repeal the Department of Education’s final rule on federal student loan limits. See Rep. Bonamici’s press release.
• On May 6, Senate Nursing Caucus Co-Chairs, Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Roger Wicker (R-MS), introduced a bipartisan resolution that honored and recognized National Nurses Week (S.Res.709). On May 7, House Nursing Co-Chairs, Reps. Dave Joyce (D-OH-14) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), and House Nursing Caucus Vice Co-Chairs, Reps. Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02) and Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), introduced an identical resolution in the House (H.Res.1264). See Sen. Merkley’s press release, Rep. Joyce’s press release, Rep. Bonamici’s press release, and Rep. Underwood’s press release.
• On May 7, multiple nursing groups hosted a briefing on Capitol Hill to discuss top legislative priorities, including the Improving Care and Access to Nurses (I CAN) Act (S.575/H.R.1317). Please see a photo from this event below.
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Post of the Month

We’re kicking off #NationalNursesWeek by wishing everyone a wonderful #NationalNursesDay! We proudly #ThankANurse and recognize the more than 5 million licensed RNs, APRNs, and nursing students making an impact today and every day. #NursesMakeTheDifference

HPASC Purpose and Objectives

To promote awareness within the DNA of issues and concerns in the area of Health Policy and Advocacy that assists DNA and it’s members to achieve their strategic goal of effectively advocating for members, patients, and the general public by:

1. Increasing membership involvement and understanding in health policy and advocacy efforts.
2. Acting as a resource for information on issues related to health policy and advocacy.
3. Working with members to investigate, consider, report, and act on advocacy issues commensurate with DNA’s Strategic plan.
4. Facilitating membership awareness, discussions, and activities.

HPASC Projects

• Support nursing within the Nursing Community
• Support cancer research, prevention, and education with One Voice Against Cancer (OVAC)
• Support State  Legislation to  prohibit tanning bed use by Children with The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network ACS CAN
• Support The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association SUNucate

Health Policy Advocacy Scanning Council

Elizabeth Jonas, LNP -Co-Chair
Karrie Fairbrother, BSN, CDE, DNC
Maura Flynn, MPP, RN, DNC
Gayle Peterson, RN-BC

HPASC Official Advocacy Toolkit

Advocacy is hard to describe because it’s so very personal. That is because advocacy just means your voice. Whether a local school board or your states senator in D.C., you are the voice that can affect change but if you remain silent, your voice will not be counted for.

The DNA wanted to create a toolkit for all dermatology healthcare providers to be able to affect change where they see fit. We encourage you to look for small wins, these realistic achievements snowball into bigger wins through collaboration and visibility.

We encourage you to find a way to start down a path for change today. Learn about the political process, send an email to a representative, download a calendar of events, volunteer for a committee, join a patient advocacy group. Together, we will have our voices and our patient’s voices heard.

DCAN’s Advocacy Toolkit – DCAN is excited to release its new advocacy toolkit. It’s an extensive guide on how patients and clinicians can overcome payer resistance.