Nearly 40 nursing students and faculty from West Virginia University are headed to Charleston on Wednesday (April 5) to participate in West Virginia’s Nurses Unity Day 2017.
This annual event provides nurses and future nurses with an opportunity to help legislators better understand the health and safety of patients living in the state.
“As the role of nurses continues to evolve, it is important for us to join together to share our expertise and experiences in providing care to our communities. This is a wonderful opportunity to engage our lawmakers in issues affecting our patients, as well as provide them with information on the challenges facing the nursing community,” said Toni DiChiacchio, assistant dean of faculty practice and community engagement, WVU School of Nursing.
Faculty and students will present posters highlighting a number of healthcare topics affecting West Virginians, including childhood obesity, substance abuse, veteran’s issues and more in the rotunda of the Capitol from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Unity Day event also allows nursing students from around the state to learn about the policy-making process and see first-hand how the Legislature works.
Tori Veach, a senior nursing student and member of the WVU Honors College, looks forward to learning more about the legislative process. “I hope to leave Unity Day with more insight to nursing in politics. Policy decision isn't the first thing that comes to mind when the word ‘nurse’ is heard, and I want to gain some knowledge about that aspect of my aspired field. It also will be a great opportunity to represent West Virginia University's School of Nursing at the state level, which I am honored to do.”
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