UK College of Nursing joins Kentucky Nurse Association at ‘Nurses Day at the Capital’
University of Kentucky (UK) College of Nursing Dean Rosalie Mainous, Associate Dean Kristin Ashford and several students took part in “Nurses Day at the Capitol,” hosted by the Kentucky Nurses Association (KNA).
Nursing students and professionals from across the Commonwealth gathered in Frankfort to meet with their legislators and advocate for laws that support the nursing profession.
Dean Mainous spoke in the capitol building’s rotunda about the importance of nurses, and the work the College is doing to foster top-quality nurses.
“We have over 8,000 alumni from UK’s College of Nursing, and most are still working in the state – working to address health inequities here, in Kentucky,” said Mainous.
Nursing student Annie Cross emphasized the importance of nurses.
“The impact of nurses goes far beyond just bedside nursing of nursing,” said Cross.
Nursing student Louis Baser highlighted the variety of roles nurses take on.
“You can be a bedside nurse. You can get your Ph.D., you can be a practitioner a school nurse, work at a university, do research. So that’s what makes it enjoyable for me, is that I can always I can tailor my education to my own interests,” said Baser.
With over half of nursing staff in Kentucky nearing retirement, Mainous said the College is committed to ensuring the current nursing shortage is Kentucky does not grow further.
“Let me make one thing clear,” said Mainous. “The University of Kentucky is committed to working with KNA and our elected officials to address our current shortage of nurses.
“We are committed to doing everything we can, so that Kentuckians receive the care they need.”
Baser and Cross said nothing is more rewarding than serving their communities.
“It builds so many relationships with everyone across the state of Kentucky. There are so many nursing students here. There are so many instructors, faculty, staff, legislators that are here. And just they have the opportunity to have to build these relationships and get to know these people on a personal level is just tremendously a blessing,” Cross said.
“There’s so many different areas of nursing. And as long as you’re passionate about it, your patients or the populations that you work with are going to see that passion, and that’s what’s going to make it enjoyable,” Baser added.
