WITC students attend Nurses Day at the Capitol

(3/24/11): Protesters and police around the Wisconsin Capitol posed no deterrent to the WITC student nurses who attended Nurses Day at the Capitol. Recently 32 third and fourth semester Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College nursing students and their advisors climbed the steps of the Wisconsin capitol amidst the throng of protesters. But their purpose differed: these nursing students were in Madison on health-related business.

Students heard from nurse leaders about federal health care reform, as well as content related to Gov. Walker’s proposed budget bill. They also met with Rep. Erik Severson and staff from Sen. Sheila Harsdorf’s and Rep. John Murtha’s office and discussed certain health-related Wisconsin bills along with the proposed budget.

When asked how this year seemed any different from previous years, WITC Nursing Instructor Bonnie Howe says that this year to enter the Capitol security was tighter: purses and bags were checked, and a security wand passed over each person. The students saw a couple hundred protesters inside playing drums and bagpipes, and nearly as many police officers.

The group rents a bus and stays one night in Madison.