Public Policy
MAKE AN IMPACT ON PUBLIC POLICY DECISIONS AFFECTING NURSING AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL
National League for Nursing Public Policy Agenda 2025-2026
To make a difference, you have to make your voice heard. The involvement of our members is vital to the NLN's goal of being the leader in setting standards, advancing quality and innovation, and advocating for all types of academic and lifelong learning programs in nursing. The NLN's objective in the public policy arena is to shape and influence those policies that affect nursing workforce development. We encourage all NLN members to use the information provided here and on the Advocacy Action Center to take an active role in molding the policy issues facing the nursing profession today. For further information on the NLN's government relations activities and positions, contact publicpolicy@nln.org.
Keeping the nation’s health demands and the economic environment in mind, in 2025 and 2026, the NLN will focus on the following priorities:
NLN Public Policy Toolkit 2025
The Public Policy Toolkit from the NLN equips nurses and nurse educators with the tools, strategies, and knowledge needed to build relationships with policymakers, participate in grassroots efforts, and engage in activities such as voter registration and public testimony to influence policy.
This free resource emphasizes the importance of evidence-informed policymaking to minimize bias and empower policymakers. The toolkit features detailed and informative sections on:
- Building nursing’s power through advocacy
- Building nursing’s power at the policy table
- Evidence-informed health policymaking
- Public policy for nurse educators
Additional resources include examples of modules and content for health policy courses to be taught in nursing schools, and objectives and assignments across educational levels from BSN to doctoral programs.