USF Students Advocate for Nurses in Washington, D.C.
Source: https://www.usf.edu/health/nursing/news/2026/usf-nursing-students-in-dc.aspx
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:32
USF Students Advocate for Nurses in Washington, D.C.
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Nursing News
USF College of Nursing students Rachel Lago (left) and Aisia Walden (right) in front
of the Nation's capitol.
USF Students Advocate for Nurses in Washington, D.C.
Amanda Elend, Taylor Clark
April 15, 2026
Current News
,
Student Success
Two USF College of Nursing students took their advocacy work nationwide in March.
Rachel Lago and Asia Walden, both Level 4 BSN students graduating in May, represented
USF at the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
Spring Hill Day
in Washington, D.C. Alongside 400 other nursing students and education leaders, they
directly connected with congressional staff to influence decisions that shape the
future of nursing and health care.
Lago and Walden serve as president and vice president, respectively, of USF’s
Nursing Students’ Association
(NSA). This leadership experience, as well as their previous advocacy work and passion
for nursing, led to their selection for this opportunity.
“It meant so much to represent USF at a national level,” said Lago. “We felt proud
to carry not only our school’s name, but also the voices of our peers and future patients.
It was an incredible opportunity to be part of something bigger and contribute to
conversations that shape the future of healthcare.”
During the event, nursing students, faculty, and deans presented concerns to staff
from the offices of Senator Ashley Moody, Senator Rick Scott, Representative Debbie
Wasserman Schultz, and other government officials. Discussions focused on AACN’s national
priorities, including:
Investment in Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs
Increased funding for the National Institute of Nursing Research
Recognition of nursing as a professional degree
Protection and advancement of nursing education, including MSN, DNP, and PhD pathways
Lago, Walden, and the other nurse advocates also highlighted key legislation aimed
at strengthening the workforce, including the
Precept Nurses Act
,
Nurse Corps Tax Parity Act
,
Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act
, and the
Future Advancement of Academic Nursing Act
.
“The central theme was clear,” Walden said. “The issue is not a lack of future nurses,
but a lack of capacity to educate, train, and sustain future nurses.”
During their time on the Hill, Lago and Walden witnessed both positive and challenging
elements of advocacy. While the students were met with respect and engagement, they
also encountered opposing viewpoints.
Lago brought her personal story into the meetings, sharing her experience as an immigrant
from Cuba. She explained that she would not have been able to attend nursing school
without support from the government.
Personal experiences like these allowed nurse advocates to illustrate the importance
of government funding for nursing. These personal connections, along with a full-bodied
expression of support for pending legislation focused on nursing, helped make this
event a success.
“We used our voices to educate the staffers on different legislation—some had never
even heard of them,” said Walden. “I think that was an achievement for both of us
and the team.”
The advocacy trip has given these future Bull Nurses that sense of achievement at
an early age. Both students were proud to represent the college and USF on the Hill.
And this is just the beginning for them both.
“This experience showed us that nursing goes far beyond the bedside,” Lago said. “It
also includes leadership, policy, and advocacy. It reinforced how powerful our role
can be: not just in caring for patients, but in influencing the systems that affect
their care. It inspired us to stay involved and continue using our voices to help
shape the future of the profession.”
“It showed me that using my voice can influence others, and I strongly believe that
knowledge is power,” Walden said. “Sharing that knowledge is how we create meaningful
change.”
At the USF College of Nursing, we’re privileged to help build and support future leaders
like Lago and Walden. Both students will graduate from the college in May with their
Bachelor of Science in Nursing. We’re excited to watch their impact grow in the years
ahead.
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Skip to Main Content
Nursing News
USF College of Nursing students Rachel Lago (left) and Aisia Walden (right) in front
of the Nation's capitol.
USF Students Advocate for Nurses in Washington, D.C.
Amanda Elend, Taylor Clark
April 15, 2026
Current News
,
Student Success
Two USF College of Nursing students took their advocacy work nationwide in March.
Rachel Lago and Asia Walden, both Level 4 BSN students graduating in May, represented
USF at the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
Spring Hill Day
in Washington, D.C. Alongside 400 other nursing students and education leaders, they
directly connected with congressional staff to influence decisions that shape the
future of nursing and health care.
Lago and Walden serve as president and vice president, respectively, of USF’s
Nursing Students’ Association
(NSA). This leadership experience, as well as their previous advocacy work and passion
for nursing, led to their selection for this opportunity.
“It meant so much to represent USF at a national level,” said Lago. “We felt proud
to carry not only our school’s name, but also the voices of our peers and future patients.
It was an incredible opportunity to be part of something bigger and contribute to
conversations that shape the future of healthcare.”
During the event, nursing students, faculty, and deans presented concerns to staff
from the offices of Senator Ashley Moody, Senator Rick Scott, Representative Debbie
Wasserman Schultz, and other government officials. Discussions focused on AACN’s national
priorities, including:
Investment in Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs
Increased funding for the National Institute of Nursing Research
Recognition of nursing as a professional degree
Protection and advancement of nursing education, including MSN, DNP, and PhD pathways
Lago, Walden, and the other nurse advocates also highlighted key legislation aimed
at strengthening the workforce, including the
Precept Nurses Act
,
Nurse Corps Tax Parity Act
,
Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act
, and the
Future Advancement of Academic Nursing Act
.
“The central theme was clear,” Walden said. “The issue is not a lack of future nurses,
but a lack of capacity to educate, train, and sustain future nurses.”
During their time on the Hill, Lago and Walden witnessed both positive and challenging
elements of advocacy. While the students were met with respect and engagement, they
also encountered opposing viewpoints.
Lago brought her personal story into the meetings, sharing her experience as an immigrant
from Cuba. She explained that she would not have been able to attend nursing school
without support from the government.
Personal experiences like these allowed nurse advocates to illustrate the importance
of government funding for nursing. These personal connections, along with a full-bodied
expression of support for pending legislation focused on nursing, helped make this
event a success.
“We used our voices to educate the staffers on different legislation—some had never
even heard of them,” said Walden. “I think that was an achievement for both of us
and the team.”
The advocacy trip has given these future Bull Nurses that sense of achievement at
an early age. Both students were proud to represent the college and USF on the Hill.
And this is just the beginning for them both.
“This experience showed us that nursing goes far beyond the bedside,” Lago said. “It
also includes leadership, policy, and advocacy. It reinforced how powerful our role
can be: not just in caring for patients, but in influencing the systems that affect
their care. It inspired us to stay involved and continue using our voices to help
shape the future of the profession.”
“It showed me that using my voice can influence others, and I strongly believe that
knowledge is power,” Walden said. “Sharing that knowledge is how we create meaningful
change.”
At the USF College of Nursing, we’re privileged to help build and support future leaders
like Lago and Walden. Both students will graduate from the college in May with their
Bachelor of Science in Nursing. We’re excited to watch their impact grow in the years
ahead.
Return to article listing
Category
Current News
,
Student Success
Explore More Categories
Alumni and Development
Awards and Honors
College News
Community Engagement
In the Media
Research and Innovation
Student Life
USF SafetyFlorida
About Department News
USF Health College of Nursing News highlights the great work of our trailblazing faculty, staff, and students! The College of Nursing is an integral part of USF Health and the University of South Florida. USF Health College of Nursing --
Where Nursing Trailblazers Belong!