A First Timer's Reflection
Texas Nurse Day at the Capitol, 2025
Diane Blair, BS, MS, BSN, RN, OCN, CHPN, MEDSURG-BC
Registered Nurse IV, Houston Methodist Sugar Land
ADVOCATE.
The American Nurses Association (ANA) defines advocacy as one of the essential qualities of a nurse[1]. As I have grown in my nursing career, I have been reminded of this quality and professional obligation both to my patients and my profession time after time. In addition to being patient advocates, nurses have a responsibility to advocate for nursing and the future of our profession as we strive through our practice and actions to do what is right.
Being an advocate doesn’t always mean doing things that come easy. I recently did something very hard for me, a professionally assessed introvert with a self-diagnosis of shyness. I went with 600 other Texas nurses to Nurses Day at the Capitol for the first time ever. And what a remarkable two days it was!
On March 3 and 4, the Texas Nurses Association (TNA) hosted over 600 practicing, student, and retired nurses and nurse educators from across the state for an event that focused on advocating for policy that advances and improves the nursing profession in Texas. These two days inspired me, educated me, and motivated me to use my voice for things that matter to nursing.
Nurses Represent!
Sharing Expertise
Standing Strong
Leading the Way
Getting the Facts
Standing Together
Starting Young!
Students Show Up
Truly Caring for Texas
Being an advocate doesn’t always mean doing things that come easy.
If you are an introvert, don’t worry—I’ll be your wing-woman. If you’re an extrovert, please adopt me. Whomever you are, Texas nursing needs you. The need to advocate for nursing has never been greater!
DAY 1
Day one primarily served to inspire us about the power of our collective voice. With over 600 nurses gathered, the main lesson learned is that we are stronger together to influence policy issues such as: workforce development, public health, and healthcare transformation at the local level. Our TNA leadership provided a series of inspiring messages that made me, an individual bedside nurse, feel like I could change the world.
Additionally, I had the opportunity to attend the Texas Nurses Foundation (TNF) luncheon with Matthew Watkins, editor-in-chief of the Texas Tribune. Mr. Watkins gave a masterclass on how the Texas Legislature works, the process of how bills are made and passed, and the top healthcare priorities of the state this session. Imagine my surprise when I learned that Texas actually has some bipartisan healthcare priorities, including funding Alzheimer’s research and “Making Texas Healthy Again” initiatives. Additional policy issues were also discussed, including the state budget appropriations for healthcare, banning THC, mental healthcare funding and access, Medicaid reform, AI in healthcare, and women’s healthcare. My sincere appreciation to Mr. Watkins for his informative presentation. It should be part of the core curriculum in all BSN programs.
These two days inspired me, educated me, and motivated me to use my voice for things that matter to nursing.
DAY 2
Day two brought over 600 nurses to the State Capitol grounds. As we all gathered for a group photo that morning on the Capitol steps, I was awed by the enthusiasm and power of our collective presence. Our group was electric. You could feel the excitement as we all looked forward to speaking with our elected officials and roamed about the beautiful Capitol building.
TNA Director of Government Affairs and General Council Jack Frazee provided us with three important policy issues we would discuss with our elected officials:
- Reinforcing the Texas Nurse Staff Staffing Statute
- Preventing the Criminalization of Medical Errors
- Supporting Strong Immunization Policies
I personally thank Mr. Frazee for the leadership and counsel he provided to us to discuss these issues. I also thank my State Representative Matt Morgan (TX-26) and the staff of State Senator Joan Huffman (TX-17) who met with me and my nursing colleagues. These elected officials listened, asked tough questions, and engaged in meaningful dialogue with us.
I learned an important lesson in these conversations: Change is hard and there are as many different viewpoints as there are people in Texas. As they say, making laws is like making sausage—lots of blending of negotiation, compromise, and vastly different viewpoints. But as nurses we know, WE DON’T QUIT!
Texas Nurse Day at the Capitol was an extraordinary experience.
I wanted to share my reflections with Texas nurses to encourage others to join us for the next Texas Nurse Day at the Capitol. I have immense gratitude to TNA for their planning and operationalizing this important event. They made everything so easy. I attended on my own, not as a part of my employer, but I found so many friends and colleagues on site. I’ve checked the “first timer” box, so I look forward to seeing you at the next event. If you are an introvert, don’t worry—I’ll be your wing-woman. If you’re an extrovert, please adopt me. Whomever you are, Texas nursing needs you. The need to advocate for nursing has never been greater! In the meantime, I encourage everyone to stay engaged through TNA and ANA. Each organization has incredible resources on their websites where you too can be an advocate for nursing. TN
Nurse Day photos courtesy of Cornelius Metili BSN, RN, PMH-BC.
