WEBVTT 00:00:05.437 --> 00:00:10.397 position:50% align:middle So I thought about how to shape this next presentation. 00:00:10.397 --> 00:00:12.337 position:50% align:middle It's only 20 minutes. 00:00:12.337 --> 00:00:14.607 position:50% align:middle And how was I going to connect it to Jefferson? 00:00:14.607 --> 00:00:22.737 position:50% align:middle And I think what I learned yesterday a little bit from David is that Jefferson wasn't a great orator. 00:00:22.737 --> 00:00:24.287 position:50% align:middle He was a great writer. 00:00:24.287 --> 00:00:28.717 position:50% align:middle He had a lot of great quotes, as Shan mentioned, but not a great orator. 00:00:28.717 --> 00:00:34.689 position:50% align:middle And so I think that what I could have done is I could have written this all out and just handed it out to you 00:00:34.689 --> 00:00:41.629 position:50% align:middle and taken a break, found a Starbucks, which I'm in desperate need of. 00:00:41.629 --> 00:00:45.329 position:50% align:middle Because it turns out, and I was reading this morning that for his first 00:00:45.329 --> 00:00:53.079 position:50% align:middle annual message to Congress on December 8th, 1801, Jefferson chose not to deliver it in person. 00:00:53.079 --> 00:00:58.789 position:50% align:middle Instead, he sent it by written message by his secretary, Meriwether Lewis. 00:00:58.789 --> 00:01:02.262 position:50% align:middle And he continued this practice throughout his presidency. 00:01:02.262 --> 00:01:07.062 position:50% align:middle He never appeared before Congress to deliver his annual message. 00:01:07.062 --> 00:01:11.402 position:50% align:middle That actually continued until Woodrow Wilson. 00:01:11.402 --> 00:01:17.162 position:50% align:middle So Presidents were delivering their message by writing it and sending it to Congress. 00:01:17.162 --> 00:01:22.962 position:50% align:middle And many speculated that Jefferson's aversion was because he didn't like to speak in public, 00:01:22.962 --> 00:01:28.962 position:50% align:middle although Jefferson himself stated that he did it for the convenience of Congress. 00:01:28.962 --> 00:01:31.274 position:50% align:middle So kind. 00:01:31.274 --> 00:01:39.514 position:50% align:middle So I'm going to share with you this morning a case study about gathering data and then utilizing data 00:01:39.514 --> 00:01:43.644 position:50% align:middle in public policy and advocacy efforts. 00:01:43.644 --> 00:01:47.864 position:50% align:middle And I'm going to talk about, I think to connect it again, to Jefferson, 00:01:47.864 --> 00:01:53.894 position:50% align:middle really about how to communicate, is to make sure that you plan, 00:01:53.894 --> 00:01:59.634 position:50% align:middle and that when you see something happen, it's because a lot went into it beforehand. 00:01:59.634 --> 00:02:02.851 position:50% align:middle So I'm going to use a case study. 00:02:02.851 --> 00:02:04.311 position:50% align:middle It's called "The Path to The Globe." 00:02:04.311 --> 00:02:08.641 position:50% align:middle It'll make a lot of sense, hopefully, in a moment. 00:02:08.641 --> 00:02:12.791 position:50% align:middle But for those of you who I had not had the pleasure to meet, I am Nicole Livanos, 00:02:12.791 --> 00:02:17.271 position:50% align:middle and I'm the director of state affairs at NCSBN. 00:02:17.271 --> 00:02:23.601 position:50% align:middle I lead our three state-level legislative campaigns working with Tom. 00:02:23.601 --> 00:02:27.271 position:50% align:middle And one of the campaigns that we work on is the Nurse Licensure Compact. 00:02:27.271 --> 00:02:30.431 position:50% align:middle And that's what I'm going to focus on today. 00:02:30.431 --> 00:02:34.525 position:50% align:middle So for those in the audience that may not be as familiar with the Nurse Licensure Compact, 00:02:34.525 --> 00:02:40.415 position:50% align:middle it's an interstate healthcare licensure compact for RNs and LPNs, and allows a nurse to hold one license 00:02:40.415 --> 00:02:46.955 position:50% align:middle and practice across state lines, both in person, electronically, telephonically, with that one license. 00:02:46.955 --> 00:02:51.835 position:50% align:middle And in order for a state to join the compact, they have to do so legislatively. 00:02:51.835 --> 00:02:58.915 position:50% align:middle So welcome to my world now where we lead advocacy efforts working with stakeholders, 00:02:58.915 --> 00:03:05.995 position:50% align:middle working with boards of nursing in order to prepare for legislative campaigns that start typically in January, 00:03:05.995 --> 00:03:12.885 position:50% align:middle the actual legislative on the groundwork, but we are preparing for now in the fall. 00:03:12.885 --> 00:03:16.465 position:50% align:middle So in order, as I mentioned, for a jurisdiction to join the NLC, of course, 00:03:16.465 --> 00:03:18.705 position:50% align:middle it must be enacted legislatively. 00:03:18.705 --> 00:03:25.375 position:50% align:middle And one of the ways in which we prepare for that endeavor that starts and kicks off in January is using 00:03:25.375 --> 00:03:31.304 position:50% align:middle a variety of tools such as an NLC survey. 00:03:31.304 --> 00:03:39.244 position:50% align:middle So what the survey allows us to do in partnership with NCSBN's research team is to gather interests, 00:03:39.244 --> 00:03:47.294 position:50% align:middle so the need and the support among licensees, among RNs, and LPNs for the Nurse Licensure Compact. 00:03:47.294 --> 00:03:50.554 position:50% align:middle Do nurses want the compact in their jurisdiction? 00:03:50.554 --> 00:03:55.154 position:50% align:middle If you know they do, that's helpful in order for you to talk to lawmakers 00:03:55.154 --> 00:03:58.874 position:50% align:middle whose constituents are nurses. 00:03:58.874 --> 00:04:03.872 position:50% align:middle So in partnership with NCSBN's research team, we develop a survey. 00:04:03.872 --> 00:04:09.362 position:50% align:middle We, you know, set up a timeline that makes sense and it's strategic to the issue, 00:04:09.362 --> 00:04:12.232 position:50% align:middle and also then distribute the survey. 00:04:12.232 --> 00:04:16.462 position:50% align:middle Oftentimes these surveys are done jointly in conjunction with the Board of Nursing 00:04:16.462 --> 00:04:18.222 position:50% align:middle and NCSBN partnering. 00:04:18.222 --> 00:04:21.092 position:50% align:middle Sometimes the Board of Nursing wants to do it alone. 00:04:21.092 --> 00:04:27.532 position:50% align:middle They want to send out the survey and distribute that survey, or sometimes NCSBN does it alone. 00:04:27.532 --> 00:04:32.364 position:50% align:middle The goal of the survey, as I mentioned, is to gauge the need and interest of the 00:04:32.364 --> 00:04:34.614 position:50% align:middle NLC among licensees. 00:04:34.614 --> 00:04:36.844 position:50% align:middle The surveys are very short. 00:04:36.844 --> 00:04:39.534 position:50% align:middle That's why people fill them out. 00:04:39.534 --> 00:04:41.944 position:50% align:middle They're, on average, seven questions. 00:04:41.944 --> 00:04:47.844 position:50% align:middle And we gather demographic information to gauge the characteristics of the respondents. 00:04:47.844 --> 00:04:50.244 position:50% align:middle Are they active in their nursing practice? 00:04:50.244 --> 00:04:54.304 position:50% align:middle What practice area of nursing are they involved in? 00:04:54.304 --> 00:04:57.354 position:50% align:middle We also inquire about union membership. 00:04:57.354 --> 00:05:01.461 position:50% align:middle Most of you here are familiar with why we do that. 00:05:01.461 --> 00:05:06.941 position:50% align:middle The historic opposition to the Nurse Licensure Compact are nursing unions. 00:05:06.941 --> 00:05:15.111 position:50% align:middle And so what's really important for us and for lawmakers is to know how union nurses feel about the 00:05:15.111 --> 00:05:16.551 position:50% align:middle Nurse Licensure Compact. 00:05:16.551 --> 00:05:18.231 position:50% align:middle Do they see a need for it? 00:05:18.231 --> 00:05:19.721 position:50% align:middle Would they utilize it? 00:05:19.721 --> 00:05:21.321 position:50% align:middle And do they support it? 00:05:21.321 --> 00:05:22.881 position:50% align:middle That is critical to gauge. 00:05:22.881 --> 00:05:25.931 position:50% align:middle So we do ask that question as well. 00:05:25.931 --> 00:05:28.801 position:50% align:middle We also then ask the need questions. 00:05:28.801 --> 00:05:31.571 position:50% align:middle How many active licenses do you hold? 00:05:31.571 --> 00:05:39.271 position:50% align:middle Would you benefit immediately from this because you are currently obtaining and maintaining multiple licenses? 00:05:39.271 --> 00:05:45.241 position:50% align:middle We also ask them whether or not they have practiced across state lines, either providing patient care or 00:05:45.241 --> 00:05:49.521 position:50% align:middle nursing educational services in the last 24 months. 00:05:49.521 --> 00:05:57.521 position:50% align:middle Would a multi-state license have utility for you because you are already practicing across state lines? 00:05:57.521 --> 00:06:01.056 position:50% align:middle Now sometimes the questions don't add up in the percentages. 00:06:01.056 --> 00:06:06.376 position:50% align:middle A lot of people are practicing across state lines but reporting that they don't hold more than one license. 00:06:06.376 --> 00:06:08.406 position:50% align:middle So there's that, right? 00:06:08.406 --> 00:06:11.916 position:50% align:middle And that's another thing that the compact can help to solve. 00:06:11.916 --> 00:06:17.056 position:50% align:middle And for patient safety reasons, we really need those individuals as they practice 00:06:17.056 --> 00:06:24.186 position:50% align:middle across state lines to be authorized and licensed to do so. 00:06:24.186 --> 00:06:27.096 position:50% align:middle We then ask the support and opposition question. 00:06:27.096 --> 00:06:28.946 position:50% align:middle So we want to gauge, do you support it? 00:06:28.946 --> 00:06:29.626 position:50% align:middle Do you oppose it? 00:06:29.626 --> 00:06:31.230 position:50% align:middle Do you have no opinion on it? 00:06:31.230 --> 00:06:31.270 position:50% align:middle Right? 00:06:31.270 --> 00:06:34.080 position:50% align:middle We don't want you to pick a side if you don't have a side on the issue. 00:06:34.080 --> 00:06:38.160 position:50% align:middle We want to know that, where are there educational opportunities to turn the 00:06:38.160 --> 00:06:42.300 position:50% align:middle no opinions into supporters, hopefully, that way. 00:06:42.300 --> 00:06:45.940 position:50% align:middle So we also ask those questions as well. 00:06:45.940 --> 00:06:53.130 position:50% align:middle So in 2023, NCSBN conducted an NLC survey in Massachusetts, a state where we have been engaged 00:06:53.130 --> 00:07:02.208 position:50% align:middle in on the ground with our Nurse Licensure Compact campaign since 2016 to advocate for NLC adoption. 00:07:02.208 --> 00:07:05.408 position:50% align:middle The survey launched in October of 2023. 00:07:05.408 --> 00:07:13.018 position:50% align:middle It was in the field for about a month with, you know, very, you know, regular reminder emails to fill 00:07:13.018 --> 00:07:14.288 position:50% align:middle out the online survey. 00:07:14.288 --> 00:07:17.638 position:50% align:middle It's online, which is very convenient for many. 00:07:17.638 --> 00:07:21.518 position:50% align:middle And then just ahead of the New Year, we had a report in hand detailing some 00:07:21.518 --> 00:07:23.608 position:50% align:middle very compelling results. 00:07:23.608 --> 00:07:29.728 position:50% align:middle But before we get into the results, I want to tell you what happened during that period, 00:07:29.728 --> 00:07:33.362 position:50% align:middle so the pre-survey results timeline. 00:07:33.362 --> 00:07:36.442 position:50% align:middle We didn't just twiddle our thumbs while the survey was out there in the field. 00:07:36.442 --> 00:07:42.342 position:50% align:middle We started a robust communications plan for what we were going to do when we got the results. 00:07:42.342 --> 00:07:49.172 position:50% align:middle And we also knew that we needed to educate lawmakers that there was a survey out there and exactly what data 00:07:49.172 --> 00:07:55.362 position:50% align:middle or what questions were going to be asked so that we would be able to present them with data. 00:07:55.362 --> 00:08:00.082 position:50% align:middle So in November 2023, the NLC was scheduled for a committee hearing, 00:08:00.082 --> 00:08:02.115 position:50% align:middle which was really great timing. 00:08:02.115 --> 00:08:05.575 position:50% align:middle I wish I could say that I planned that, but we didn't. 00:08:05.575 --> 00:08:10.255 position:50% align:middle We had a hearing on the NLC before the Joint Healthcare Finance Committee. 00:08:10.255 --> 00:08:12.405 position:50% align:middle And so you can see there Robert Krebs. 00:08:12.405 --> 00:08:14.395 position:50% align:middle Many of you probably remember him and I. 00:08:14.395 --> 00:08:18.725 position:50% align:middle We made it into the newspaper, woo, as we testified in support of the 00:08:18.725 --> 00:08:20.295 position:50% align:middle Nurse Licensure Compact. 00:08:20.295 --> 00:08:26.835 position:50% align:middle And at that time, we testified with several panels of supporters, and only one panel of opposition, 00:08:26.835 --> 00:08:27.905 position:50% align:middle which were the unions. 00:08:27.905 --> 00:08:29.515 position:50% align:middle And they testified virtually. 00:08:29.515 --> 00:08:35.733 position:50% align:middle So in the room, we had very strong support and it was an excellent hearing. 00:08:35.733 --> 00:08:39.843 position:50% align:middle While we were in Boston, we made sure that we met with lawmakers, 00:08:39.843 --> 00:08:43.583 position:50% align:middle and that included the Senate president's healthcare advisor. 00:08:43.583 --> 00:08:46.363 position:50% align:middle And our goal of that meeting was to talk about the survey. 00:08:46.363 --> 00:08:48.393 position:50% align:middle At that point, we actually had a sneak peek. 00:08:48.393 --> 00:08:55.383 position:50% align:middle Maryann Alexander leads the research team, and they were able to provide us that morning with what 00:08:55.383 --> 00:08:57.823 position:50% align:middle the results were so far of the survey. 00:08:57.823 --> 00:09:04.656 position:50% align:middle And we were able to then share that with the Senate president's healthcare advisor and be able to offer the 00:09:04.656 --> 00:09:07.446 position:50% align:middle latest and greatest data that was coming in. 00:09:07.446 --> 00:09:12.366 position:50% align:middle So we let them know exactly what was going to happen and asked them, of course, 00:09:12.366 --> 00:09:15.446 position:50% align:middle what their plan was for the data as well. 00:09:15.446 --> 00:09:22.356 position:50% align:middle And so they wanted us to work hand-in-hand with them as the data came out, not to release it all at once, 00:09:22.356 --> 00:09:27.776 position:50% align:middle not to make it live and, you know, send it around, but really to think strategically about who should see 00:09:27.776 --> 00:09:36.472 position:50% align:middle it first and how we should communicate it with the media, with, you know, grassroots efforts and the like. 00:09:36.472 --> 00:09:41.432 position:50% align:middle So in December of 2023, again waiting for that final report to be drafted, 00:09:41.432 --> 00:09:43.562 position:50% align:middle we held a media strategy call. 00:09:43.562 --> 00:09:50.452 position:50% align:middle My department as well as NCSBN's marketing department and our lobbyists all came together to make sure that 00:09:50.452 --> 00:09:58.272 position:50% align:middle any communications plan was streamlined so that it followed the needs of the legislative effort. 00:09:58.272 --> 00:10:05.863 position:50% align:middle Our marketing team is probably super frustrated with me sometimes because they can do really great things, 00:10:05.863 --> 00:10:11.783 position:50% align:middle but sometimes we don't need those really great things for our legislative effort. 00:10:11.783 --> 00:10:12.753 position:50% align:middle We sometimes need to... 00:10:12.753 --> 00:10:20.043 position:50% align:middle It's frustrating, but we need to wait in order to put ads out to gain grassroots support because lawmakers 00:10:20.043 --> 00:10:24.873 position:50% align:middle may be on break, they may be focused on budget, they don't need a bunch of emails coming at them 00:10:24.873 --> 00:10:27.113 position:50% align:middle about supporting the NLC. 00:10:27.113 --> 00:10:32.406 position:50% align:middle So we wanted to work hand-in-hand and coordinate this effort across NCSBN. 00:10:32.406 --> 00:10:35.126 position:50% align:middle And also worked with Reputation Partners. 00:10:35.126 --> 00:10:40.426 position:50% align:middle And Reputation Partners is a communications firm, a PR firm that NCSBN works with, 00:10:40.426 --> 00:10:44.416 position:50% align:middle who has excellent media contacts across the country. 00:10:44.416 --> 00:10:50.916 position:50% align:middle And we wanted our lobbyists to work with them and tell them which reporters would be friendly to hearing 00:10:50.916 --> 00:10:56.616 position:50% align:middle about the results, the survey results, most likely to publish those results. 00:10:56.616 --> 00:11:03.047 position:50% align:middle And so we were able to coordinate that and then get ready for when it was necessary and when it 00:11:03.047 --> 00:11:04.717 position:50% align:middle made sense legislatively. 00:11:04.717 --> 00:11:07.287 position:50% align:middle Certainly, in December, nothing makes sense. 00:11:07.287 --> 00:11:09.337 position:50% align:middle Everyone's focused on the holidays. 00:11:09.337 --> 00:11:13.227 position:50% align:middle And so we knew that we were going to wait. 00:11:13.227 --> 00:11:14.947 position:50% align:middle So what were the results? 00:11:14.947 --> 00:11:19.507 position:50% align:middle So the results were over 17,000 nurses completed the survey. 00:11:19.507 --> 00:11:23.367 position:50% align:middle Eighty-one percent were RNs, so majority of RNs. 00:11:23.367 --> 00:11:28.347 position:50% align:middle Twenty-one percent, so over a fifth, of respondents were union nurses. 00:11:28.347 --> 00:11:36.178 position:50% align:middle That was a really great stat for the survey and to be able to bring to lawmakers those need results. 00:11:36.178 --> 00:11:41.728 position:50% align:middle Over 50% of respondents reported providing nursing services or communicating with patients, 00:11:41.728 --> 00:11:48.288 position:50% align:middle providing nursing education services across state lines or outside of Massachusetts in the last 2 years. 00:11:48.288 --> 00:11:48.858 position:50% align:middle This was 2023. 00:11:48.858 --> 00:11:55.608 position:50% align:middle So we are covering part of the pandemic and a little bit of the post-pandemic world. 00:11:55.608 --> 00:12:02.253 position:50% align:middle Fifty-one percent of respondents hold an active nursing license in at least one additional jurisdiction. 00:12:02.253 --> 00:12:06.443 position:50% align:middle So the need is there, the want is there as well. 00:12:06.443 --> 00:12:14.433 position:50% align:middle Ninety percent of respondents were in favor of joining the NLC, 2% opposed, 7% expressed no opinion. 00:12:14.433 --> 00:12:20.463 position:50% align:middle That's where I know I have work to do to educate and advocate for all nurses so they understand what 00:12:20.463 --> 00:12:22.613 position:50% align:middle the compact is. 00:12:22.613 --> 00:12:26.593 position:50% align:middle And then we could break down, or our research team rather, I can't do any of this, 00:12:26.593 --> 00:12:31.956 position:50% align:middle the research team rather could break down results into subgroups, which was super helpful. 00:12:31.956 --> 00:12:38.286 position:50% align:middle So 87% of respondents that had a primary state of residence of Massachusetts supported it, 00:12:38.286 --> 00:12:45.736 position:50% align:middle 88% of union members supported the compact, and 96% of respondents holding more than 1 active 00:12:45.736 --> 00:12:47.276 position:50% align:middle license supported it. 00:12:47.276 --> 00:12:52.966 position:50% align:middle So we had really great results we knew now to run on. 00:12:52.966 --> 00:12:55.096 position:50% align:middle So our communications plan was robust. 00:12:55.096 --> 00:13:01.689 position:50% align:middle This is a tiny screenshot of a very large Excel document. 00:13:01.689 --> 00:13:06.599 position:50% align:middle And I really just wanted to highlight how strategic we were here. 00:13:06.599 --> 00:13:09.699 position:50% align:middle We prioritized people, which before screenshotting this, 00:13:09.699 --> 00:13:12.209 position:50% align:middle I made sure the Board of Nursing was a one. 00:13:12.209 --> 00:13:14.099 position:50% align:middle And of course, they were. 00:13:14.099 --> 00:13:20.529 position:50% align:middle So for us to provide the results to them, to provide the results to the Health Policy Commission, 00:13:20.529 --> 00:13:28.579 position:50% align:middle a well-respected group in Massachusetts that is non-partisan and works to dive into healthcare issues, 00:13:28.579 --> 00:13:34.501 position:50% align:middle health and human services, and then key lawmakers that we were going to focus 00:13:34.501 --> 00:13:40.751 position:50% align:middle on communicating with them the results first before this ever hit anybody's inbox. 00:13:40.751 --> 00:13:44.071 position:50% align:middle So we set up meetings with all of these individuals. 00:13:44.071 --> 00:13:46.961 position:50% align:middle Some we did, some our lobbyists did solo. 00:13:46.961 --> 00:13:54.041 position:50% align:middle But we were able to communicate to all of these individuals again before anything went even remotely 00:13:54.041 --> 00:13:56.671 position:50% align:middle public or to the media. 00:13:56.671 --> 00:13:58.481 position:50% align:middle So this is how we prioritized it. 00:13:58.481 --> 00:14:00.260 position:50% align:middle You got a one through four. 00:14:00.260 --> 00:14:04.650 position:50% align:middle We established a timeline for doing so, and then we created resources in partnership 00:14:04.650 --> 00:14:07.190 position:50% align:middle with NCSBN Marketing. 00:14:07.190 --> 00:14:08.800 position:50% align:middle We created a snapshot, right? 00:14:08.800 --> 00:14:10.350 position:50% align:middle We have a report, it's long. 00:14:10.350 --> 00:14:11.630 position:50% align:middle We wanted to cut it down. 00:14:11.630 --> 00:14:15.030 position:50% align:middle Lawmakers want one piece of paper in their hand, if even. 00:14:15.030 --> 00:14:17.420 position:50% align:middle Actually, they want it in their inbox now. 00:14:17.420 --> 00:14:19.710 position:50% align:middle And so we created this survey snapshot. 00:14:19.710 --> 00:14:21.370 position:50% align:middle It just has the highlights. 00:14:21.370 --> 00:14:26.620 position:50% align:middle Marketing developed ads that were of all shapes and sizes and could be put on social media, 00:14:26.620 --> 00:14:33.111 position:50% align:middle could be put on the internet, on news sites, etc., highlighting that 90% number. 00:14:33.111 --> 00:14:41.671 position:50% align:middle And then we created a state-specific grassroots page where Massachusetts nurses or members of the public 00:14:41.671 --> 00:14:48.901 position:50% align:middle or whomever, any grassroots supporters could go to nursecompact.com/ma. 00:14:48.901 --> 00:14:52.881 position:50% align:middle It was a site that we could put state-specific info into. 00:14:52.881 --> 00:14:54.881 position:50% align:middle It didn't look national in nature. 00:14:54.881 --> 00:15:00.346 position:50% align:middle And they were able to send a tailored to Massachusetts grassroots letter to their lawmakers, 00:15:00.346 --> 00:15:06.406 position:50% align:middle again once we hit play on all of that part of the plan. 00:15:06.406 --> 00:15:13.626 position:50% align:middle So January through March, we had our communications plan in action. 00:15:13.626 --> 00:15:16.956 position:50% align:middle I mentioned that we were meeting one-on-one with individuals. 00:15:16.956 --> 00:15:20.276 position:50% align:middle We actually were able to do formal presentations of the findings. 00:15:20.276 --> 00:15:26.586 position:50% align:middle The Senate president sat for a presentation as we walked through the entire survey report. 00:15:26.586 --> 00:15:32.230 position:50% align:middle Again, they were very interested in knowing the information, especially if she was going to ask her 00:15:32.230 --> 00:15:37.530 position:50% align:middle members to take a vote that they knew they were going to get a lot of heat on from the unions. 00:15:37.530 --> 00:15:42.230 position:50% align:middle So it was very important they understood how the survey was conducted, that it was legitimate, 00:15:42.230 --> 00:15:45.700 position:50% align:middle that the numbers were high enough, that the response rate was strong. 00:15:45.700 --> 00:15:52.530 position:50% align:middle And we were able to assure them of that by taking the time and making a plan to do this. 00:15:52.530 --> 00:15:54.840 position:50% align:middle And then Reputation Partners did their thing. 00:15:54.840 --> 00:15:56.450 position:50% align:middle They met and prepped stakeholders. 00:15:56.450 --> 00:16:03.083 position:50% align:middle We had a lot of nurses in Massachusetts from ANA Massachusetts, who is a strong partner, on the NLC. 00:16:03.083 --> 00:16:07.433 position:50% align:middle We had them prepped by Reputation Partners. 00:16:07.433 --> 00:16:11.453 position:50% align:middle Not everybody is comfortable talking in front of the media, like Jefferson. 00:16:11.453 --> 00:16:15.873 position:50% align:middle And so we, you know, wanted them to be able to be comfortable with talking 00:16:15.873 --> 00:16:16.653 position:50% align:middle about the NLC. 00:16:16.653 --> 00:16:19.743 position:50% align:middle We fielded questions from reporters. 00:16:19.743 --> 00:16:23.643 position:50% align:middle You know, we had gotten coverage when we testified at the hearing. 00:16:23.643 --> 00:16:26.493 position:50% align:middle And so we, of course, went back to that reporter because everyone loves 00:16:26.493 --> 00:16:27.363 position:50% align:middle a quick follow-up. 00:16:27.363 --> 00:16:29.303 position:50% align:middle She already knows about the issue. 00:16:29.303 --> 00:16:33.424 position:50% align:middle So we reached back out to her as well and said, "Hey, we've got these results. 00:16:33.424 --> 00:16:40.074 position:50% align:middle We are only sharing a small number right now with reporters and with lawmakers, and we're going to, 00:16:40.074 --> 00:16:44.434 position:50% align:middle you know, educate you, but ask you to hold until the timing is right." 00:16:44.434 --> 00:16:49.914 position:50% align:middle The timing being right, meaning when the Senate president's office said it was. 00:16:49.914 --> 00:16:52.174 position:50% align:middle So that's how we got to The Globe. 00:16:52.174 --> 00:16:59.084 position:50% align:middle There was an editorial article in "The Boston Globe" titled, "Massachusetts Needs More Nurses and Should 00:16:59.084 --> 00:17:02.079 position:50% align:middle Ease Path for Out-of-State Workers." 00:17:02.079 --> 00:17:12.279 position:50% align:middle We landed this editorial piece in March 20th of 2024, which was a very strategic time 00:17:12.279 --> 00:17:14.209 position:50% align:middle within the legislative process. 00:17:14.209 --> 00:17:22.019 position:50% align:middle The Massachusetts legislature ended session at the end of July, and so we knew that we had a short time period 00:17:22.019 --> 00:17:25.719 position:50% align:middle for any action to take place, and we were ready. 00:17:25.719 --> 00:17:35.461 position:50% align:middle And all the members were ready for there to be this public coverage of the survey results and public push 00:17:35.461 --> 00:17:40.211 position:50% align:middle for the NLC in Massachusetts this year. 00:17:40.211 --> 00:17:43.631 position:50% align:middle The survey made its debut in "The Boston Globe." 00:17:43.631 --> 00:17:49.801 position:50% align:middle So there was coverage of the actual survey results, and they utilized that in order to show that 00:17:49.801 --> 00:17:51.571 position:50% align:middle nursing supported it. 00:17:51.571 --> 00:18:00.579 position:50% align:middle But of course, you have to prepare because any journalist who's using journalistic standards is going 00:18:00.579 --> 00:18:02.499 position:50% align:middle to cover both sides. 00:18:02.499 --> 00:18:06.889 position:50% align:middle They're going to look for who the opposition is, ask for a quote, that's going to happen, 00:18:06.889 --> 00:18:11.019 position:50% align:middle whether it's an article or an editorial, probably not an opinion piece. 00:18:11.019 --> 00:18:14.059 position:50% align:middle I don't think anyone's reaching out to find other opinions there. 00:18:14.059 --> 00:18:20.609 position:50% align:middle But whether it's an editorial board working on a article or just a news article, 00:18:20.609 --> 00:18:22.209 position:50% align:middle they're going to look for that other side. 00:18:22.209 --> 00:18:25.009 position:50% align:middle So you need to anticipate the opposition here. 00:18:25.009 --> 00:18:28.689 position:50% align:middle You need to prepare lawmakers, you need to prepare advocates. 00:18:28.689 --> 00:18:30.804 position:50% align:middle You need to prepare readers, right? 00:18:30.804 --> 00:18:34.574 position:50% align:middle "The Boston Globe" has that responsibility, but so do we. 00:18:34.574 --> 00:18:40.254 position:50% align:middle We need to make sure that people understand what the counterarguments are going to be so that the lawmakers 00:18:40.254 --> 00:18:47.734 position:50% align:middle are prepped to calm their colleagues who are getting really anxious about voting on the NLC. 00:18:47.734 --> 00:18:52.524 position:50% align:middle So in the article, we had a quote from the Massachusetts Nursing Association, the union. 00:18:52.524 --> 00:18:56.964 position:50% align:middle "Murphy worries that entering the compact will compromise patient safety if it results in a 00:18:56.964 --> 00:19:02.779 position:50% align:middle more temporary, out-of-state nurses or more reliance on out-of-state nurses to remotely monitor patients." 00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:09.609 position:50% align:middle The Editorial Board, earlier, before that quote appeared, said, "Patient care is.." 00:19:09.609 --> 00:19:15.669 position:50% align:middle sorry, in response to that quote said, "Patient care is compromised now when patients can't 00:19:15.669 --> 00:19:21.449 position:50% align:middle find staff, and if the union is worried about nurses being overworked, it should support a measure that 00:19:21.449 --> 00:19:24.619 position:50% align:middle would help employers fill vacancies." 00:19:24.619 --> 00:19:30.009 position:50% align:middle So they had a direct counterpoint, covered the opposition, but had a direct counterpoint. 00:19:30.009 --> 00:19:37.855 position:50% align:middle It's important for all of us to do and also for a good journalist to do as well. 00:19:37.855 --> 00:19:39.005 position:50% align:middle Don't panic. 00:19:39.005 --> 00:19:40.495 position:50% align:middle The media doesn't always get it right. 00:19:40.495 --> 00:19:42.765 position:50% align:middle Your communications plan isn't always going to go right. 00:19:42.765 --> 00:19:46.785 position:50% align:middle Make sure you stay agile and willing to adjust. 00:19:46.785 --> 00:19:51.215 position:50% align:middle The initial publication had the quote on the left. 00:19:51.215 --> 00:19:58.535 position:50% align:middle They talked about how you would have to follow continuing education requirements in each jurisdiction. 00:19:58.535 --> 00:20:02.892 position:50% align:middle We know that that's not the case, but because we had worked with Reputation Partners and 00:20:02.892 --> 00:20:08.462 position:50% align:middle this author, and the author we were working with at "The Boston Globe" who was writing on behalf of the 00:20:08.462 --> 00:20:13.682 position:50% align:middle Editorial Board, we were able to, I want to say within an hour, 00:20:13.682 --> 00:20:21.252 position:50% align:middle have a correction made to this because we knew that the unions would jump on this and say this isn't true. 00:20:21.252 --> 00:20:29.642 position:50% align:middle And we also learned from the author that this idea and why she wrote it here came from one of the interviews 00:20:29.642 --> 00:20:31.149 position:50% align:middle with ANA Massachusetts. 00:20:31.149 --> 00:20:37.539 position:50% align:middle So we also knew that we needed to touch base back with that contact and make them aware that in some states 00:20:37.539 --> 00:20:45.409 position:50% align:middle like Washington, they have gotten clever about allowing or mandating CEEs through employment in the state, 00:20:45.409 --> 00:20:48.599 position:50% align:middle but not because you held a license, a multi-state license. 00:20:48.599 --> 00:20:53.319 position:50% align:middle So there's a nuance there, which I think the reporter was able to capture here 00:20:53.319 --> 00:20:57.589 position:50% align:middle in her corrected response. 00:20:57.589 --> 00:21:01.700 position:50% align:middle So after The Globe article, we had a mass distribution of the survey. 00:21:01.700 --> 00:21:03.010 position:50% align:middle That was our go-live. 00:21:03.010 --> 00:21:09.430 position:50% align:middle As soon as we got, you know, a great media article out there, 00:21:09.430 --> 00:21:12.260 position:50% align:middle we wanted to go live right away with the surveys. 00:21:12.260 --> 00:21:17.070 position:50% align:middle And so we followed up with key advocates and media contacts and worked hand-in-hand 00:21:17.070 --> 00:21:17.960 position:50% align:middle with the Senate president. 00:21:17.960 --> 00:21:22.720 position:50% align:middle And she developed an advocacy strategy for bill movement. 00:21:22.720 --> 00:21:27.270 position:50% align:middle She identified the economic development package in Massachusetts as a vehicle. 00:21:27.270 --> 00:21:28.860 position:50% align:middle That was always considered a must-pass. 00:21:28.860 --> 00:21:32.183 position:50% align:middle It had a lot of goodies in it for lawmakers. 00:21:32.183 --> 00:21:36.443 position:50% align:middle And they were not going to have to vote no or yes for the NLC. 00:21:36.443 --> 00:21:40.023 position:50% align:middle They were just going to have to vote yes for a package. 00:21:40.023 --> 00:21:46.263 position:50% align:middle And that really helps, especially as lawmakers are facing an election year. 00:21:46.263 --> 00:21:51.043 position:50% align:middle The Globe also really set the stage for this to be an economic development issue, 00:21:51.043 --> 00:21:53.263 position:50% align:middle and so did other reporters' coverage as well. 00:21:53.263 --> 00:21:58.833 position:50% align:middle They talked about the amount of money that were being spent on temporary contracts and the NLC providing a 00:21:58.833 --> 00:22:06.377 position:50% align:middle way to get more permanent positions filled and staff shortages tied to bed closures and psych and SUD units 00:22:06.377 --> 00:22:11.517 position:50% align:middle having an economic impact on the health of the population, as well as in a lot of these 00:22:11.517 --> 00:22:13.267 position:50% align:middle facilities as well. 00:22:13.267 --> 00:22:14.877 position:50% align:middle And a sponsor was identified. 00:22:14.877 --> 00:22:18.407 position:50% align:middle It was carried by the Senate Healthcare Finance Chair, Cindy Friedman. 00:22:18.407 --> 00:22:21.427 position:50% align:middle And so that was an incredibly strong sponsor to have. 00:22:21.427 --> 00:22:26.597 position:50% align:middle And the amendment did make it into the bill, and the package moved into a conference committee 00:22:26.597 --> 00:22:29.227 position:50% align:middle between the House and Senate. 00:22:29.227 --> 00:22:32.232 position:50% align:middle But that brings us up to today. 00:22:32.232 --> 00:22:37.422 position:50% align:middle And part of the communications plan that we did not work on was that the Massachusetts legislature did 00:22:37.422 --> 00:22:39.092 position:50% align:middle nothing this session. 00:22:39.092 --> 00:22:47.022 position:50% align:middle They failed to pass any significant legislation before they ended on July 31st. 00:22:47.022 --> 00:22:53.292 position:50% align:middle These were some of the headlines around Massachusetts adjourning for the year. 00:22:53.292 --> 00:22:57.782 position:50% align:middle But Massachusetts did importantly pass a circus animal bill. 00:22:57.782 --> 00:23:03.189 position:50% align:middle And so I furiously texting our lobbyists through past midnight. 00:23:03.189 --> 00:23:04.319 position:50% align:middle They went till 6 a.m. 00:23:04.319 --> 00:23:09.029 position:50% align:middle so I was right up there with them monitoring the economic development bill. 00:23:09.029 --> 00:23:17.639 position:50% align:middle We came up with a lot better headlines such as "The Circus Leaves Town," "Sideshows," "Clowns," all 00:23:17.639 --> 00:23:21.539 position:50% align:middle of that, "Lions and Tigers," and nothing got done. 00:23:21.539 --> 00:23:26.069 position:50% align:middle And so these were...this is the reality, right? 00:23:26.069 --> 00:23:30.801 position:50% align:middle You plan for this, you do all of this work, and here we are with Massachusetts having not passed 00:23:30.801 --> 00:23:34.691 position:50% align:middle the economic development package, which was the must-passed. 00:23:34.691 --> 00:23:40.431 position:50% align:middle So this is just hopefully a case study that you can bring back to your jurisdictions. 00:23:40.431 --> 00:23:41.861 position:50% align:middle Think about more strategically. 00:23:41.861 --> 00:23:46.401 position:50% align:middle When you have all that data coming to you, when there are those reports that are done and funded, 00:23:46.401 --> 00:23:51.501 position:50% align:middle how can those reports...how can you hold back for a moment those results and think about the most strategic 00:23:51.501 --> 00:23:52.851 position:50% align:middle way to put them forward? 00:23:52.851 --> 00:23:56.311 position:50% align:middle So I hope that this was helpful, and thank you so much. 00:23:56.311 --> 00:23:58.371 position:50% align:middle We have a break until... 00:23:58.371 --> 00:23:59.901 position:50% align:middle Oh, my gosh. 00:23:59.901 --> 00:24:00.466 position:50% align:middle I'm sorry. 00:24:00.466 --> 00:24:01.346 position:50% align:middle I went over. 00:24:01.346 --> 00:24:03.946 position:50% align:middle We have a break until 10:30. 00:24:03.946 --> 00:24:04.456 position:50% align:middle But it's okay. 00:24:04.456 --> 00:24:06.606 position:50% align:middle 10:35 we'll start our next session. 00:24:06.606 --> 00:24:07.918 position:50% align:middle Thank you.