CBS Atlanta 46Over 900 nurses descend on the State Capitol

Over 900 members of the Georgia Nurses Association brought their legislative priorities to the halls of the State Capitol on Thursday for GNA's 2012 Legislative Day event.

Registered nurses and students from across the state informed lawmakers on some of the issues currently affecting Georgia's registered nurses.

"The Legislative Day provides nurses and students the opportunity to meet their legislators and learn about how the legislative process affects their practice," said GNA's Chief Executive Officer Debbie Hackman. "At the same time, the presence of all those white coats in the Capitol makes a real impression on lawmakers!"

Attendees participated in a morning speaking program with welcome remarks by Governor Nathan Deal, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, Secretary of State Brian Kemp and Sen. Renee Unterman (R-Buford).

Nurses will spend the remainder of the day attending the House/Senate sessions, meeting with legislators, attending committee meetings and networking with peers.

This year, as in many years past, one of their main talking points will be to emphasize, to law makers, the need for more funding, to help train new nurses and lessen the nurse-patient ratio in hospitals.

"We need more help, and these new nurses coming up, that could really help us out, in training them, and spending the money the money to train them," said nursing student Kelsey Wiggins.

GNA will also continue its efforts to create a special nurse appreciation license plate in 2012. Part of the proceeds from this special plate would be allocated to the Georgia Nurses Foundation to fund future nursing scholarships and workforce planning and development.

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