The Junior (BSN) and master’s entry (MENP) students attended the 2015 Student Nurse Political Action Day in Springfield on March 24th. The annual event is  sponsored by the Nurse’s PAC with assistance from ANA-Illinois. The morning program included information about current legislation in the 99th General Assembly from Lobbyist Sue Clark, the need for political activism by Professor Pam Robbins, and the roles of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) and Nurse Practice Act from Dr Joan Libner, the chair of the Chair of the Illinois Board of Nursing. Professor Vicki Caldwell and Administrative Assistant Bonnie Niemeyer manned a Millikin information table in the vendor area of the event.

Several Millikin students entered the poster contest on the theme of “Advanced Practice Nursing in Illinois” and the first place winners were Cassidy Kingery, Katie Miller, and Haley Rediger.

The winners received a cash prize and their photos and posters will be published in the Nursing Voice, reaching 160,000 registered nurses in the state. After lunch, the over 1,000 attendees marched to the Capitol to meet with legislators and attend sessions. MENP student, Benie Bakala was selected to help carry the banner.