For five years, we have been working to strengthen the voice of nurses in public policy by preparing nurses to step into the political process.
Now, we are seeing that work take hold.
We are excited to invite you to apply for the 2027 Nurses Running for Elected Office Training Academy.
The 2027 cohort marks the fifth year of this Illinois-based leadership and political training program. This milestone comes at an important time. Three nurses are currently running to serve in the Illinois General Assembly.
Their candidacies demonstrate why this program matters.
Nurses understand patients, families, communities, health systems, and the impact public policy has on people’s lives. Yet nurses remain underrepresented in many of the places where laws, budgets, regulations, and policies are decided.
NREO was created to help change that.
The Nurses Running for Elected Office Training Academy provides homegrown education here in Illinois for nurses interested in running for office, working on a campaign, managing a campaign, or becoming more engaged in the political process.
We also want to build something larger than a pipeline of candidates. We want nurses across Illinois to understand the importance of supporting nurses who choose to run for office and to begin seeing elected leadership as an opportunity available to them.
You do not need to have decided to run for office.
You simply need an interest in learning how the process works and how your nursing experience might translate into public leadership.
During the Academy, participants learn about:
- Deciding whether and when to run for office
- Understanding the Illinois political and electoral process
- Building a campaign strategy
- Developing your message and telling your story
- Fundraising and campaign finance
- Building relationships and a network of supporters
- Working with political parties, organizations, and community leaders
- Communicating with voters and the media
- Managing and supporting political campaigns
- Preparing for the realities of becoming a candidate
As we enter our fifth year, our goal remains clear. Illinois needs nurses who are prepared to participate in the decisions affecting our profession, our patients, and our communities.
Some will run for office.
Some will manage campaigns.
Some will volunteer, organize, advocate, fundraise, and support nurse candidates.
All of those roles matter.
If you have ever thought, “Nurses should have more of a voice in these decisions,” the 2027 NREO Training Academy is a place to begin.
Apply for the 2027 Cohort:
https://forms.gle/youdwaexxsxnzoaW6
Learn more about the Nurses Running for Elected Office Training Academy:
https://www.ana-illinois.org/nurses-running-for-elected-office-training-academy/
Applications will be accepted from September 2 – October 16, 2026.
Help us build on five years of momentum and strengthen the presence of nurses in elected leadership throughout Illinois.
We hope you will join us.