AACN's August 2025 Guide to Advocacy: Amplifying the Voice of Academic Nursing

As Congress returns to their respective states and districts during the August recess, it is increasingly important that your federal policymakers hear from you. This guide assists AACN members in engaging with their legislators while Congress is in recess and back in their states or districts.

 

What is August Recess?

Traditionally, when Congress is "in session," legislators are working in our nation's capital, Washington D.C. When Congress is "in recess," legislators are typically working in their home states and districts connecting with constituents and gaining critical insight on the issues impacting their day-to-day life. As we continue to elevate the needs of academic nursing, August recess provides an opportunity for you to meet with your Members of Congress.

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How to Connect with Federal Policymakers

Email your Member of Congress in Support of Academic Nursing

Schedule an Appointment

Contact your federal policymakers' office to schedule a virtual or in-person appointment with the Member of Congress or their staff.

Find your Representative

Find your Senators

Share How Title VIII and NINR Impact your School, Students, and Faculty by Responding to Our Survey!

Capitol Rotunda

The Face of Academic Nursing is a new resource hub highlighting the vital role of Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs and the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) in shaping the future of nursing education and health care. These federal programs are essential to strengthening nursing pathways and maintaining access to high-quality care nationwide. 

Access Survey Here |  Submit Title VIII Video |  Submit NINR Video |  View Video Submissions

The more survey responses we receive, the stronger our case to support Title VIII and NINR programs becomes. Each submission helps AACN build a clearer, nationwide picture of their impact on nursing education and care through the interactive map below.

 

Additional Ways to Connect with Your Member of Congress

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Request a Site Visit

Site visits are a great opportunity for federal legislators to see firsthand how academic nursing is preparing the nation's nursing workforce to combat current and future health challenges.

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Attend a Town Hall

Attending town hall meetings or in-person events gives you an opportunity to ask questions and receive updates on important topics affecting your state or district. These can be found by looking at your federal legislators' website.

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Visit a District Office

Contact your local Congressional office to schedule an appointment with a Member of Congress or their staff.  

Did you know that the AACN Government Affairs and Policy Team can:

  • Help schedule meetings with Congressional offices and coordinate in-district/state visits.
  • Assist with legislative and policy needs, including written testimony.
  • Share federal-level resources, state sheets, one-pagers, and other state resources.
  • Serves as your one-stop legislative and policy resource team.
  • Provide internship and student opportunities.
  • Present to AACN member schools.

Connect with our team today!

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How to Engage on Social Media

Engage with Members of Congress by:

  • Following your federal legislators on their official Facebook, X.com, and Instagram accounts for updates on events and more.
  • Interacting with your federal legislators' posts by commenting, liking, and sharing.
  • Visiting your federal legislators' official website where you can sign up for newsletters, see their position on important topics, and more.
  • Following @AACNPolicy on X.com for the latest legislative and policy updates.
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Become an AACN Advocate

As an AACN Advocate, you will:

  • Receive Action Alerts requesting you to contact Congress on timely issues.
  • Gain access to breaking news regarding legislative and regulatory activities relevant to academic nursing.

AACN Advocates have sent thousands of messages this year advocating for reauthorizing the Title VIII Programs and funding them in FY 2026, as well as for funding NINR and preserving it as an independent Institute with NIH. We need to keep the momentum going! Sign up to be an AACN Advocate today.

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Take Action Today!

Advocate for important issues impacting academic nursing and follow us on social media.

Sign Up Today Follow @AACNPolicy
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Questions

Contact AACN's Director of Government Affairs, Rachel Minahan at rminahan@aacnnursing.org.