The NIWI experience:

To be in a room of 150 nurses from all over the country, with all levels of expertise, is awe-inspiring. Since becoming a CWOCN ten yrs ago, I have wanted to have the opportunity to attend NIWI. Thanks to the benevolence of the MAR and my local affiliate, the Hampton Roads affiliate, I was able to make this a reality.

The best word that describes what NIWI did for me is INSPIRE. I have been a nurse in many different arenas for the past 30 yrs. I have been a voter for 34 years. Going to Capitol Hill, meeting with representatives and senators and having the opportunity to discuss real life health care issues, made me realize how important this legislative process is. I felt like I was back in civics or government class, but now it means something. I have come home, and have become much more involved and in the local political scene, in that I read the issues, I pick up the phone, or send that email, and state my view, rather that just thinking about it. I have also joined my local VNA group, and plan to grow in my WOCN organization as well.

The frustration was that the WOCN did not have any real hot topic to go to the Hill on. Many of the other organizations had done there homework, knew bills that would affect their clients, and were ready to drive home their positions to the legislators. We as a group did discuss the bundling issues for ostomates, access to care issues, and awareness of the population we serve. With my Virginia delegation, we hit the funding for nurse reinvestment act, because the bottom line is , If we have no nurses, we have no specialty nurses.

Which brings me to another issue that was born at NIWI. Out of the 150 nurses present, there were probably 75 specialties. Some of the group felt there was not enough “specialty nurse time”. Personally, I feel we as nurses need to get out of our “silos” and band together, much more would be gained from this strength, rather than staying in our smaller groups, and maintaining the tunnel vision approach.

Would I recommend NIWI?? Definitely, I think each person who attends will bring home something different, but it will be a positive influence, regardless of the situation. INVOLVEMENT is the key, I would much prefer to be a driver, than a back seat rider, when it come to the political issues that affect my family, friends and patients…

Thank you for supporting me and sending me from the Mid Atlantic Region.

Jane Kellam