The Elm

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Annual Student Policy Summit, March 26-27, 2023, is a 2-day immersion in the federal policy and advocacy process in Washington, D.C., based on Capitol Hill. This conference is open to baccalaureate and graduate nursing students. Preliminary information about the summit is available here.

The experience includes workshops by policy and advocacy experts and visits to legislators on Capitol Hill. You will learn how to communicate effectively with members of Congress and their staff about key issues relating to nursing education, research and policy. Many UMSON students and students from other nursing schools nationwide have attended previous summits and had great experiences. Due to the summit's popularity, registration for the 2023 summit will be limited to two students per school who have not attended the summit previously.

For the 2023 summit, Dean Kirschling is pleased to be able to cover registration, lodging for one night (March 26), and transportation costs to and from D.C. for one student at the Universities at Shady Grove and one student in Baltimore.

These two students will be selected via a competitive application process. To apply, please submit a one-page essay stating:

• why you are interested in health care policy and advocacy
• why it is important for nurses to be involved in policy and advocacy
• your own plans for integrating health policy and advocacy activities into your career trajectory.

Your one-page essay should be a Word document, single spaced, 12 point font, with 1-inch margins, including a header with your name and the campus and nursing program in which you are enrolled.

Please submit your essay via email to Stephanie White, Office of the Dean, at smwhite@umaryland.edu, by 5 p.m. on November 1.

Essays will be reviewed by a committee, and the winners will be notified by the end of the day on Nov. 4.

If you are selected to attend the summit, information will be emailed to you regarding registration for the conference as well as accommodations and logistics.

If you have any questions, please contact Stephanie White.