Representing ASPAN on Capitol Hill: Advocacy Beyond the Bedside

Sarah M. I. Cartwright, DNP, RN, NI-BC, CAPA, FASPAN
ASPAN Vice President/President-Elect

One of the greatest privileges of serving ASPAN is the opportunity to represent our specialty beyond the bedside. This year, I had the honor of participating in the 2026 American Nurses Association (ANA) Hill Day as ASPAN's Organizational Affiliate representative.

Hill Day is far more than a series of meetings with legislators and their staff. It is an opportunity for nurses to bring the realities of healthcare directly to those shaping national policy. I was honored to join Dr. Joy King and colleagues from across Georgia as we met with congressional offices to advocate for legislation that strengthens the nursing profession. Together, we discussed the Nursing is a Professional Degree Act, the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act, the Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act, and continued investment in Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs.

At first glance, these initiatives may not appear specific to perianesthesia nursing. In reality, they are deeply connected to the work we do every day.

Perianesthesia nurses care for patients during some of their most vulnerable moments. Safe staffing, a well-prepared nursing workforce, and access to highly educated nurses directly influence the quality of care our patients receive before, during, and after anesthesia. Federal investment through Title VIII supports the education and development of future nurses, strengthening the workforce pipeline at a time when healthcare systems across the country continue to face staffing shortages. Those investments help ensure that patients have access to experienced nurses with the specialized knowledge required in the perianesthesia setting.

The Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act is equally relevant, and for me, the closest to my heart. Although violence in healthcare is often associated with emergency departments or behavioral health settings, perianesthesia nurses know that postoperative confusion, emergence delirium, pain, anxiety, and emotional stress can quickly create situations that place both patients and healthcare professionals at risk. Creating safer work environments protects not only nurses but also the patients entrusted to our care.

The Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act recognizes the value of advanced practice nurses by removing unnecessary regulatory barriers that limit access to care. As APRNs continue to expand services in perioperative and procedural settings, legislation that allows nurses to practice to the full extent of their education ultimately improves patient access and strengthens interdisciplinary care. Likewise, recognizing nursing as a profession deserving of continued investment reinforces the value of every nurse contributing across the continuum of care.

Following Hill Day, I joined nurse leaders from across the country for the two-day ANA Membership Assembly. One discussion that resonated deeply centered on the growing concern of incivility experienced by student nurses. Delegates heard evidence supporting the need for meaningful frameworks that foster civility across both academic and clinical learning environments. While the proposal was referred for continued development, the discussion reflected our profession's commitment to preparing the next generation of nurses in environments where they can learn, grow, and thrive. As educators, preceptors, and clinical leaders, many ASPAN members understand that fostering professional belonging is just as important as teaching clinical competence.

One of the most memorable moments of the Assembly was standing in celebration as ANA voted to welcome Licensed Practical Nurses and Licensed Vocational Nurses into membership for the first time in the organization's 130-year history. Throughout my three decades in nursing, I have had the privilege of working alongside extraordinary LPNs, including those who first helped transform my textbook knowledge into the practical wisdom that only experience can teach. It was a meaningful reminder that every nurse has a voice, every nurse has value, and our profession is strongest when we recognize and elevate one another.

I returned home with a renewed appreciation that advocacy extends far beyond Capitol Hill. Whether speaking with legislators, contributing to national conversations about nursing education, or celebrating a more inclusive future for our profession, each experience reinforced the same truth: our voices matter. I am grateful to ASPAN for the opportunity to represent perianesthesia nursing and to ensure our specialty contributes to the conversations shaping the future of healthcare. When nursing speaks with one voice, every specialty - and every patient we serve - benefits.