12: Navigating AANA Mid-Year Assembly: What to Attend & How to Prepare for Capitol Hill (for RNs)

In this episode, we take a deep dive into navigating the AANA Mid-Year Assembly—specifically designed to help RNs and APRNs understand how to approach the conference with clarity, confidence, and intention. This episode is part of the Advocacy Mini-Series, and it's the most important one yet!

If you’re attending Mid-Year Assembly, it can feel overwhelming—a full schedule, unfamiliar terminology, and the question: Where do I even start?

To break this down, I’m joined by Matthew Thackston, the Senior Director of Congressional Affairs for the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology. Matt plays a critical role in leading federal advocacy efforts for CRNAs on Capitol Hill and has been recognized as one of The Hill’s Top Lobbyists for his impact in shaping healthcare policy.

Together, we walk through the structure of Mid-Year Assembly—from orientation and foundational sessions to strategy and execution—so you know exactly what presentations to attend and how each day builds toward Capitol Hill.

We also demystify what it’s like to step into a Capitol Hill meeting for the first time—what to expect, how to prepare, and how to confidently represent the nurse anesthesia profession.

This episode is designed to help you move from simply attending… to fully engaging.

You’ll walk away with:

• A clear understanding of which sessions matter most and why
• Insight into how advocacy shapes the future of our profession
• Practical guidance for preparing for Capitol Hill Day
• And the mindset needed to show up with confidence

CRNA Mentor exists to help you navigate this journey with clarity, confidence, and intention—and this episode is your roadmap to doing exactly that at Mid-Year Assembly.

If you’re serious about understanding the profession at a deeper level, this is where that process begins.

Thank you for tuning in. If this episode helps you prepare for Mid-Year Assembly, share it with someone attending with you.

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