AANA Mid Year Assembly

• MYA POLICY
   
• My Experience at Mid-Year Assembly
  Stephanie Jensen, RN, BS, NAR
  
  Greetings from the Samuel Merritt University-sponsored Mid-Year Assembly student representative! I'm sitting on my flight home, and my mind is simply whirling with the memorable events of the last 5 days.
  
  From the airport touchdown at Reagan National in the nighttime sky with the Capitol building lit in the distance to the photo op with Senator Barbara Boxer before Zach Langton and I dashed for our plane, every moment was filled with an energy and drive the likes of which I've rarely experienced. On Sunday I had the honor of hearing a lecture by Christine Zambricki on the recent joint Institute of Medicine/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation report regarding the future of nursing, and was encouraged to learn its recommendations urging all nurses to practice to the full scope of their licensure. I also learned invaluable lessons from the Honorable William Dotzler, Jr., a state senator from Des Moines, Iowa. Seemingly off-the-cuff, he gave a thorough and hilarious education on effective communication with legislators. Ann Walker-Jenkins and Frank Purcell were also instrumental and a bit more traditional in their lectures on quality interactions with one's legislators. To that end, some of the best learning I achieved during the Sunday meeting sessions was via CANA's own president Liz Wong, when she volunteered to take part in a 'difficult' interaction skit with a legislator--her swift, calm and informed communication provided an excellent example of the communication I could utilize in the days to come should such difficulties arise.
  
  That afternoon I met with fellow CANA members from all over California to organize our three full days of lobbying on the Hill--and was inspired to see the amazing organization and team attitude that was to be characteristic of all our time in Washington. From my very first Congressional meeting on Monday morning, CANA members included and supported me in the discussion process with Representatives and their Legislative Aides. It was amazing to connect with these legislators on a personal and professional level and to describe to them the practice of California CRNAs. The overall receptiveness to our presence and practice was incredibly positive and supportive, especially given the current economic climate and despite the distraction of the government's near shutdown just days before.
  
  My favorite meeting was with Debbie Jessup, the Certified Nurse Midwife Legislative Assistant for Lucille Roybal-Allard. Aside from being remarkably well-informed and supportive about CRNA practice, she offered invaluable advice about lobbying as well as supporting the data from the IOM report, in addition to recommending that advanced practice nurses continue to unify so that our collective voice is louder. Even on Tuesday, my busiest day, my Clinical Coordinator Brent Sommer was able to take me to the AANA's DC office so that I could meet with the office staff and other CRNAs and SRNAs from around the country. Above all else, the most exciting and wonderful part of the Mid-Year Assembly experience for me was the supportive and inclusive nature of all the CRNAs present, but most especially that of the CANA members I lobbied with. My most heartfelt thanks to you all, and to Samuel Merritt University for sponsoring what was an amazing and eye-opening experience.