I know I use this corner of the Colorado Nurse to talk about legislative activities. Over the past six months, I have been reminded that the Colorado Nurses Association is the primary legislative action organization for nurses in Colorado. I have given presentations to students and faculty at schools of nursing as well as advanced practice nursing and healthcare industry groups. It is also well known that many organizations, whether industry, nursing, or patient focused groups, have advocacy or legislative affairs committees which can be effective in keeping their members up on legislative matters even when those groups are not active in crafting and amending legislation. CNA leadership have attended or participated in a number of those end of session legislative wrap-ups, including the Northern Colorado Health Sector’s meeting in June. Each of these groups has their own focus and by attending these meetings it allows all other groups – CNA included – to learn of other healthcare industry, patient advocacy, and of course nursing related topics, many of which, like the Prescription Drug Affordability Board and protections for labor, will undoubtedly come back next year. Bills for 2027, including the Nurse Practice Act, are being discussed and written now. We have mentioned the Nurse Practice Act, Safe Harbor Legislation, and most recently Assignment Despite Objection in our newsletter, Facebook feed, and of course in several of the CNA groups like the Workplace Advocacy Advisory and Networking Team. We unfortunately are sometimes contacted by nurses in January with an idea for a bill, but now is the time to get involved.

Legislative season aside, policy happens all the time. I have been asked “you are a union, right?” (No, we are not.) I have been told “the staffing at my hospital is so unsafe and we don’t have a staffing committee.” (Yes you do, but you might not know what it is called.) “I took a year off nursing to care for my family now I can’t get a job.” (Here are some refresher courses that might improve your marketability. You can also network through CNA groups.) These are all questions of policy made by those individual workplaces. You have power within your organizations to bring about change. Just like CNA talks to legislators and the Governor’s office you can talk to your nurse manager or CNO. Just like CNA provides testimony to legislative committees and executive rulemaking sessions, you can join the conversation in your unit practice committee, staffing committee, or whatever your facility has decided to call the do-everything committee.

It was recently passed on to me that a national organization that supports nursing said essentially “We will continue to support nursing, but nurses need to take on a piece of the responsibility.” Nurses, the most trusted profession, has a responsibility to advocate for a safe nursing workplace, safe patient care, and access to care. CNA has acted in each of those area over the past year, but we need your voice in your workplace, in your letters, and at the committee hearings.