identify a local, state, or federal healthcare issue that affects the nursing profession. These issues can be from newspaper articles, publications from ANA, PSNA, AJN, Nursing2019/2020 & other RN magazines.
Identify the individual who is to receive your letter. You can learn who your state & local legislators are by calling the county office or the local league of Women voters at 1-800-692-7281. This information can also be found online at https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials/
Make sure you choose the correct salutation e.g. though you may begin your letter to a Congressperson with Mr. or Ms., the letter should include their formal title in the address section to the left above the salutation. This web site gives you examples: http://www.formsofaddress.info/Congressman.html
Guidelines for letter writing:
Letter may be sent electronically according to the guidelines on the legislator’s web site.
Your name & address should be on the letter
Identify yourself as a student nurse & state why your entry into the profession of Nursing makes this a significant issue for you.
Limit your letter to one subject/issue-if you are referring to a specific bill include the bill number
Be brief. Limit letter to one page.
Be specific. Provide facts & figures to support your views or give anecdotal data on how your clients or families have been or may be affected.
Emphasize the positive or negative impact if proposed legislation and what the proposed legislation will mean to the legislator’s constituents in terms of healthcare.
Be polite & reasonable. A positive-sounding letter is usually an effective tool even if you asking the legislator to oppose a piece of legislation.
