Dean and Associate Professor of Reinhardt’s Cauble School of Nursing and Health Sciences Kimberlin Zelinsky, DNP, spent a day on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., advocating for nursing education.
On March 31, 2026, as part of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Dean’s Annual Meeting, Dr. Zelinsky visited the offices of several federal legislators where she discussed the critical importance of funding programs that enhance nursing workforce development, clinical education, and research.
Additionally, she addressed strengthening the Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act, and the classification of graduate nursing degrees as professional degrees.
“By participating in Capitol Hill Day, I was part of a team advocating for legislative support on issues impacting the nursing workforce and Reinhardt University,” she explained.
Dr. Zelinsky, alongside her fellow deans and nurse leadership in higher education, shared personal stories about how congressional measures make a positive impact in supporting students, professionals, and faculty. Their efforts aim to not only ensure support of the next generation of nursing leaders, but the patients who rely upon them amidst workforce shortages.
This was Zelinsky’s second time participating in this event and representing Reinhardt on Capitol Hill.
-By Suzy Alstrin
