On March 30-31, 2025, Dr. Lauren Swant accompanied two Carroll College nursing students in Washington, D.C., to engage with congressional representatives while attending the annual American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Deans meeting and the 2025 Student Policy Summit.
"I was honored to represent the state of Montana as a nursing student through AACN and Carroll College. Through this experience, I learned the importance of advocacy, leadership, and using a unified voice to influence positive change in healthcare. It deepened my awareness of how sharing personal experiences and collaborating with others can shape the future of nursing!" ~ Addie Butler, senior, Nursing major, Etna, WY
On behalf of AACN and Carroll College, Dr. Swant and her nursing students were able to advocate for ongoing federal support key to educating and growing our nursing workforce. For the second year in a row, Carroll College nursing students were the ONLY nursing students representing Montana Nursing Education in attendance!
"Having the opportunity to go to Washington, D.C., and advocate for fellow nursing students and fellow Montanans was incredible! Being able to meet our state representatives, as well all of the wonderful people that also attended the summit was absolutely the highlight. I will cherish the things I learned and this whole experience forever! Plus, I had a really great time with Addie and Dr. Swant, I would not have wanted to experience it with anyone else." ~ Kyla Dane, Accelerated Nursing, Great Falls, MT