When a group of Kaiser Permanente Northern California nurses recently traveled to Sacramento for the 2026 Day at the Capitol, they seized the opportunity to step away from the bedside and influence health care by bending the ears of influential lawmakers.
Nurses from across Northern California met with 5 state lawmakers: Assemblymembers Dawn Addis, Celicia M. Aguiar-Curry, and Stephanie Nguyen, and State Senators Jesse Arreguin and Akilah Weber Pierson.
Participants learn about current legislation, share real-world experiences from patient care, and explore how policies affect individuals and communities. The Day at the Capitol is an annual event that the Kaiser Permanente Nurse Scholars Academy hosts in partnership with the California Government Relations team.
“The event helps nurses build confidence in speaking up and shows how their voices can influence decisions that shape the future of health care,” said Trevor Murray, DNP, RN, Senior Director, NCAL Regional Patient Care Services and KP Scholars Academy. “Through their close work with patients, nurses have valuable insight on health needs, equipping them to influence policies that improve care and build healthier communities.”
Speaking up, being heard
For Edoardo Morlet, MSN, RN, a Quality nurse consultant at the Sacramento Medical Center, the experience was transformative.
He described the day “a true gift,” saying it changed how he sees his role as a nurse and advocate.
“This experience gave me a seat at the table and challenged me to think bigger about what I can do,” he shared. “It’s not just about knowing the issues. It’s about speaking up and being heard.”
Before participating, Morlet viewed advocacy mainly as supporting patients, families, and his team at work. The experience broadened that perspective. He now sees advocacy as reaching beyond the hospital to include issues like access to care, community health, and the social factors affecting well-being.
“My circle of influence is much wider than I thought,” he explained.
The day also showed him how powerful nurses can be when they share their knowledge and stories. Morlet pledged to stay involved and continue working with lawmakers in the future.
“This experience will stay with me,” he said. “It reminded me how important it is for nurses to be part of these conversations. It’s inspiring to be part of a team that is working to make communities better.”
Advocacy on a national stage
Following the Day at the Capitol, Trevor Murray, DNP, RN, joined several Kaiser Permanente colleagues from Northern California and across the enterprise, including Lyzah Bati Alforque, KP Roseville; Sunitha Dharman, KP San Francisco; and Ericson Alvin Fernando, KP South Sacramento, at the American Organization for Nursing Leadership Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C.
The 2-day event brought together leaders representing more than 13,000 nurse leaders nationwide to meet directly with members of Congress and their staff.
Together, the group met with staff from the offices of U.S. Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla, and U.S. Representatives Doris Matsui, Kevin Kiley, and Mike Thompson.
During these meetings, they advocated key priorities, including the Save Healthcare Workers Act, the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act, and recognition of nursing as a professional degree.
“When nurses come together to share their voice, we can help influence real change,” he said. “Advocacy is one more way we care for our patients and strengthen the future of our profession.”