Preparing for a Successful Student Policy Summit
Webinar Description
This webinar is intended for AACNs 2019 Student Policy Summit attendees, as well as AACN members attending the Deans Annual Meeting, but is open to any AACN member. Discussion focuses on professional and logistical aspects that will help ensure that students maximize their Summit experience. This content serves as a vital asset to attendees before their trip to Washington, DC to represent their school, fellow students, and the nursing profession. For more information about the Student Policy Summit, visit the summit website.
Be sure to also attend the first informational webinar: Civics Refresher for Student Policy Summit Attendees held on February 7, 2019 at 2:00 pm (ET).
NOTE: Only AACN Member Schools can participate in this AACN Webinar.
Objectives
- Explain the logistics related to attending the Student Policy Summit.
- Examine the current political climate and the top issues to discuss during Hill visits.
- Demonstrate how to lead a successful meeting with a Member of Congress or their staff.
Speakers

Director of Government Affairs
American Association of Colleges of Nursing
Rachel Stevenson, MA, joined AACN last June as the new Director of Government Affairs, where she leads the Association’s daily advocacy efforts and works closely with Members of Congress, their staff, coalitions, and AACN membership to advance education and health care policy through a nursing lens.
Prior to her arrival, Rachel spent eight years as a Legislative Director and Senior Legislative Assistant at Polsinelli and Wheat Government Relations, respectively. In those roles, she provided critical advice and advocacy on behalf of a wide-array of health care clients, including AACN. Rachel also spent more than three years working on Capitol Hill, as a key staffer to Congressman Bart Stupak (D-MI), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. Through her work, Rachel has a rare and valuable perspective of the inner workings of Capitol Hill, managing constituent pressures back home, and navigating the legislative labyrinth.

Government Affairs Assistant
American Association of Colleges of Nursing
Payal Shah is currently the Government Affairs Assistant for the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, which represents over 800 baccalaureate and graduate schools of nursing across the country. She started out at AACN as the Policy Assistant, but quickly shifted over to Government Affairs where she works to assist the Government Affairs and Policy department to advance policy and advocacy initiatives surrounding academic nursing. Prior to her role at AACN, Payal held multiple internships in higher education non-profits, and in various political groups in Washington, DC. Payal received her Bachelor of Arts in Government and International Politics from George Mason University Schar School of Policy and Government.
This webinar is free to deans, faculty, staff and students from AACN member schools of nursing . This is a member’s only webinar and non-members will not be able to register.
Continuing Education Credits:

Eligible attendees may receive one continuing nursing education (CNE) contact hour for participating in this webinar. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is an accredited CNE-provider by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.