Nursing Students Participate in the 2024 Advocacy Education Day

Twelve York College students recently attended an Advocacy Education Day event to learn and contribute as participants.

Held at Pace University in Manhattan, the second annual gathering of health professionals and student nurses, York’s Cohort 12 gained perspective on patient care “beyond the bedside.”

The second annual event, was sponsored by the Mount Sinai Center for Research and Innovation, NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing, the Oncology Nursing Society, and Pace University Lienhard School of Nursing, focused on nurses’ role in patient advocacy and lobbying for change to improve care.

Students heard from an interdisciplinary panel with backgrounds in nursing, research, public health, and government and were introduced to various strategies of advocacy. A former patient gave a compelling talk about his healthcare experience that led him to become active in the Patient and Family Advisory Council for Quality, which helps incorporate patients’ stories into aspects of care.

The event was particularly relevant to senior nursing students about to embark on careers within a complicated healthcare system. A session about the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare encouraged students to think about its benefits and challenges.

Students listened to speakers who championed better and more equitable patient care and learned about current legislation related to nursing. New York State Senator Roxanne Persaud, representing the 19th district in Brooklyn and Queens, spoke about healthcare legislation she advocates and gave tips on how to become politically active.

Students gained insight into the role of nursing beyond the bedside and their professional obligation to understand the impact of social determinants of health. The conference enabled students to connect concepts they are learning in the classroom to the priorities of the American Nurses Association (ANA) which include health policy, public health, safety, and equity.

A panel of highly experienced nurses and scholars encouraged them to become active in their career – to join professional organizations and use those resources to advocate for improving patient care. Students were reminded of the collective power of a united profession, with over four million nurses in the United States, and were encouraged to become active in their field.

“Despite the daily academic demands, 12 nursing students chose to devote their Saturday to an event they recognized as an opportunity to learn, discover, and network,” said Professor Margaret, who attended with the students. “They were engaged in the conference and were inquisitive, with two students speaking so posing questions to the panel. All 12 students represented York College with the utmost professionalism and maturity, demonstrating their commitment to the nursing profession. It was a proud moment for York’s Nursing Program.”