OU to host Nursing Symposium March 20

Oakland University will host its inaugural Nursing Policy Symposium on Monday, March 20 from 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. in the Oakland Center Ballrooms. There is no charge to attend, but registration is required and includes a continental breakfast. Event information and online registration may be found at oakland.edu/nursing.

Facilitated by Oakland University’s School of Nursing and Center for Civic Engagement, this year’s symposium is about empowering bedside nurses to advocate for their profession and the health of Michiganders at the highest level. The morning will focus on fostering relationships between nurses and health policy makers through discussion of relevant topics such as the impact of the nursing workforce shortage on patient health care outcomes, issues related to the recruitment and retention of highly qualified nurses and the need for staffing solutions that promote quality and safety in the health care setting.

Legislators, nurses, OU nursing alumni and OU nursing students will take part in a panel discussion about the future of health care and creating policies that support healthy environments for nurses and their patients. The nurses who participate in this event will also receive a training session on how to advocate for nursing policies and engage with elected officials to be policy changemakers.

This symposium features health care reporter and health care speaker Lila Lazarus as the moderator. The speakers include OU President, Dr. Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, former School of Nursing Dean and current professor, Dr. Judy Didion along with a video message from Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The featured panelists are from committees in the Michigan Legislature that focus on health policy. They include Representative Brenda Carter, Senator Jim Runestad, Representative Jamie Thompson and Senator Michael Webber. Representative Mark Tisdel will facilitate an Advocate Training Session where nurses will learn best practices on how to engage with policymakers and advocate for change.

Conference participants will include local bedside nurses from a variety of hospital systems, elected officials, nurse executives, nurse educators, entrepreneurs in the health care field and OU nursing students. Everyone is welcome to register and attend.