The Nurse in Washington Internship (NIWI) offers an intense learning experience for individuals interested in becoming more involved in the legislative and regulatory aspects of healthcare. NIWI is open to any RN that is interested in learning more about the legislative process. The next NIWI will be held March 14-16, 2010 in Washington, D.C.

The following program objectives provide a clear view of the purpose of this event:

• Demonstrate how nurses can be involved and influence policy at the local and national level.
• Discuss how to work effectively with legislative staff to advance policy agendas.
• Network with other nurses with similar clinical/political interests.
• Describe key steps to effect change in the legislative process.
• Identify techniques to advance legislative issues at the grassroots level. Identify legislative, political, and economic forces driving health care policy and delivery changes today.

Completed applications that were received by the January 15th deadline will be judged by the NIWI subcommittee of the WOCN Public Policy committee. Scholarship winners will be notified by the end of January 2010.

For more information about the Nurse in Washington Internship Program, you may call the Nursing Organizations Alliance at (859) 514-9157 for a brochure or go to their website at www.nursing-alliance.org/niwi.cfm.