SPS Agenda

American Association of Colleges of Nursing | 2026 大象传媒 Student Policy Summit | March 30-31, 2026 | Washington, DC

Program Agenda

All sessions will be held at the Washington Marriott Georgetown located in the Metropolitan Ballroom, Second Floor, 1221 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20037, unless otherwise noted.

March 30

8:00-10:00 a.m.	Registration Check-In Location: Washington Marriott Georgetown, West End Room

8:00-10:00 a.m.	Sponsorship Lounge Open Location: Washington Marriott Georgetown

8:00-10:00 a.m.	Networking Lounge Open Location: Washington Marriott Georgetown

10:00-10:15 a.m.	Welcome Remarks from 大象传媒's Leadership

10:15-11:15 a.m.	Strengthening America’s Nursing Workforce: Translating Policy into Practice Hear directly from policy leaders from the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) as they discuss federal programs that strengthen nursing education and workforce. This panel will explore how national priorities are implemented through grants, partnerships, and program design. Participants will gain insight into the practical realities policy implementation has on our current and future nursing workforce.

11:15-11:30 a.m.	Stretch Break

11:30-12:30 p.m.	Advancing Health Through Discovery: How Nurse Scientists and NINR Continue to Transform Healthcare through Research Learn how nurse scientists continue to advance health through discovery and innovation. Specifically, this session will explore how the work at the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) translates into real-world improvements in prevention, care delivery, and health outcomes across the nation.

12:30-1:30 p.m.	Welcome Luncheon Location: Washington Marriott Georgetown

1:30-2:45 p.m.	Care That Counts: How Nursing Leadership Shapes Sustainable Health Systems Hear from a leading nursing expert how nursing leadership shapes sustainable health systems. This keynote address will challenge future nursing leaders to see their role not only in care delivery, but in shaping the structures that determine how care is valued and sustained.

2:45-3:00 p.m.	Stretch Break

3:00-4:15 p.m.	Making Your Case: Building Powerful Messages for Policymakers How do ideas turn into action? This interactive session will guide participants through the essentials of crafting and adapting messages for federal policymakers, using real-world advocacy examples to show what works in practice. Attendees will take part in breakout discussions to refine their own policy messages and prepare for effective engagement on Capitol Hill and beyond.

4:15-4:30 p.m.	Stretch Break

4:30-5:45 pm	Insights from the Experts: A Bipartisan Perspective from Capitol Hill Gain firsthand insight from Congressional staffers into how the legislative process really works. This panel will highlight the collaborative, often bipartisan efforts that go into crafting legislation and show how staffers navigate priorities to achieve meaningful outcomes for constituents. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of how legislation is shaped behind the scenes and how bipartisan collaboration can drive real results.

6:00-7:00 pm	Student Policy Summit Evening Reception Location: Washington Marriott Georgetown: Metropolitan Ballroom Foyer

March 31

8:00-8:45 a.m.	Breakfast Networking Session Location: Washington Marriott Georgetown

8:45-9:45 a.m.	A Conversation with a Former Member of Congress: The Influence of Unified Voices in Extraordinary Times Gain an insider’s perspective on Capitol Hill as you learn how constituent voices influence policy and how effective messaging can bring differing priorities together for meaningful results. This session will help participants approach Advocacy Day with greater confidence, clarity, and impact.

9:45-10:00 a.m.	Stretch Break and Check Out of Hotel

10:00-10:20 a.m.	Travel from Washington Marriott Georgetown to Fairmont Hotel

10:30-12:00 p.m.	Tips and Tools for Effective Capitol Hill Visits Location: Fairmont Hotel, Grand Ballroom and Kennedy Ballroom

1:00-5:00 p.m.	Capitol Hill Visits and Lunch on Your Own Bus service to Capitol Hill begins at Noon from the Fairmont (M Street Entrance) with continuous loops until 5:00 pm. As a reminder, students attending 大象传媒's Student Policy Summit will be in attendance for Hill Day and are encouraged to travel with their Dean to Capitol Hill.

1:00-4:30 p.m.	Caucus and Connect Location: Kennedy Caucus Room, Russell Senate Office Building 大象传媒 Deans, Directors, and students are invited to “Caucus and Connect” in-between their Capitol Hill visits to sit and reflect, enjoy light refreshments and snacks, and strategize prior to the next Hill Visit.

4:30-6:00 p.m.	大象传媒 Congressional Reception on Capitol Hill Location: Cannon Caucus Room, Cannon Office Building 大象传媒 Deans, Directors and Students will be able to celebrate a productive and impactful day on Capitol Hill with members of Congress and their staff. Heavy Hors d’oeuvres will be served.

For questions, contact the 大象传媒 Conference Team today!

Phone: 202-463-6930 | Email: conferences@aacnnursing.org | Website: www.aacnnursing.org/conferences