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2026 WV Nurses Unity Day - Nurses Day at the Capitol

Embassy Suites by Hilton Charleston
300 Court Street
Charleston, WV 25301

Monday, February 23, 2026 at 9:00am ET - 2:00pm ET
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300 Court Street, Charleston, WV 25301

Info

Topic

Nursing CE, Legislative Session, Committee Meetings, Meetings with Legislators

Credits Offered

This event offers 5.0 CE credits to attendees.
Accreditation Info: Coming Soon.

Additional Information

Join the West Virginia Nurses Association (WVNA) President Donte Newsom, DNP, FNP-BC, the WVNA board, and legislative leaders for an impactful day of advocacy at the West Virginia State Capitol. We’ll meet with state representatives, attend legislative sessions, and engage in committee meetings, all in the name of supporting nurses and improving healthcare for all West Virginians.

Event Highlights:

  • Lunch provided - in the Rotunda area of on the ground floor 
  • Nurses march to the Capitol 
  • Photo opportunities
  • Exhibitors and sponsors - will be located on the 2nd floor between the House and Senate chambers 
  • Attend legislative sessions in the House of Delegates and Senate
  • Opportunity to participate in committee meetings
  • Meet one-on-one with your legislative representatives (appointments should be scheduled directly with your legislator; for assistance, contact the WVNA Central Office).

How to schedule an appointment with your legislator:

Nurses and students are encouraged to start scheduling meetings with their state representatives in January. Nurses Day at the Capitol will take place on Monday, Feb 23, 2026. Ideal times for meetings are between 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM; however, feel free to accept whatever time slot your representative can offer.

To find your representative and schedule a meeting, you can:

  • Call the WV legislative hotline at 1-877-565-3447
  • Use the following resources to search for your representative:
    • WV Senate Roster
    • WV House of Delegates Roster

Contacting Your Legislator:

To reach out, use the following format in your written communication:

The Honorable [Member’s Name]
West Virginia Senate/House of Delegates

Helpful Resources:

Capitol Tours:

Capitol tours, as well as tours of the Governor’s Mansion, are available for individuals, school groups, and more. For more information or to schedule a tour, contact:

  • Capitol Tours & Information at (304) 558-4839
  • West Virginia State Museum and Cultural Center Tours at (304) 558-0220

Frequent​ly Asked Questions:
Where do I enter the State Capitol building (Building 1)?:
Visitors may enter Building 1 at either of the Directed Public Access Points, located midway through the East and West wings. 
Parking:
Metered spaces for the public are available along California Avenue on the East side of the Capitol Complex; Greenbrier Street on the complex's West side; and in the lot on the North end of the complex adjacent to the employee parking garage. Parking meters are limited - but if you find one, make sure you have plenty of quarters. 
Note: Parking may be limited when the Legislature is in session.

Shuttle Service:
Shuttle service is provided between the Capitol Complex and the Laidley Field parking area in three shifts, a morning shift, a midday shift and an afternoon shift. The shuttle departs from Laidley Field starting at 6:45 a.m. All other shifts the shuttle starts at Building 3. The last run of the day begins at 5:15 p.m. Each complete run of the shuttle is approximately 10-15 minutes depending on traffic lights and traffic.

The shuttle does not operate typically between 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 1:45 p.m.-3:00 p.m. The Schedule also includes a number to call if more information or assistance is needed. The stops include: Laidley Field, Capitol Parking Garage {North Side}, Building 3 {North Side}, Building 5, Building 6, Capitol Building East Wing, Capitol Building West Wing & Cultural Center Entrances. The shuttle bus is handicapped accessible.

Exhibitors and attendees drop off:
The Capitol Complex also features a drop-off/pick-up loop for buses and visitors, accessible from the entrance to the campus at the Greenbrier Street-Washington Street East intersection. No parking is allowed in the loop, except for the limited accessible parking for Gift Shop patrons.​ Click here for turnaround loop information​.​
The turnaround loop is available daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
It also features a "Safe Zone," a designated location for child custody exchanges, e-commerce transactions and the like.​​​
What are the rules for entering Capitol Complex buildings?
Anyone without an electronic access card is subject to screening for prohibited items upon entry. This applies to members of the public, anyone making deliveries or conducting official business, contractors or vendors and employees entering through the public access points.​The screening process involves passing through a magnetometer and placing any items that may set off the magnetometer into provided containers. Briefcases, purses, backpacks, packages and the like are placed through an X-ray machine. 
 
What items are prohibited on the Capitol Complex grounds and buildings?​
It is unlawful for any person to bring upon the State Capitol Complex any deadly weapon as defined in W.Va. Code §61-7-2.
 
Firearms are prohibited in all buildings and on the grounds of the Capitol Complex, however, persons who may lawfully possess a firearm may keep a firearm in his or her motor vehicle upon the State Capitol Complex if the vehicle is locked and the weapon is out of normal view: 
A person may not carry upon the State Capitol Complex a cannister of pepper spray as defined in §61-7-2 that exceeds one ounce. Weapons may be carried by federal, state, or local law enforcement officers or security personnel who, because of the nature of their work, are duly authorized to possess a firearm while engaged in their official capacity.
​
In addition to the items listed in W.Va. Code §61-7-2, the following items and activities are prohibited on the Capitol Complex:
- Fireworks or explosives
- Signs attached to sticks
- Sticks
- Tactical helmets
- Shields
- Illegal drugs, controlled substances and alcoholic beverages
- Camping
- Cooking
- Drones​
  • - Water guns or pistols
  • - Bullhorns, megaphones, airhorns, or similar items
  • - Unapproved public address systems
  • - Unapproved Musical Instruments
  • Other noise making devices deemed to be carried for creating disturbances
    - Other items that appear to pose a risk to people or property
​
Note: Coolers and backpacks are subject to search upon the Complex grounds.​

This is your chance to make a real difference for nurses and the communities we serve. Don’t miss out on this important day of advocacy! 

Hotel Reservations 

Reserve your room NOW! Book your hotel at the Embassy Suites by Hilton before Feb __, 2026

We have rooms blocked at Embassy Suites by Hilton in Charleston for Sunday Feb 22, 2026  through Feb 23, 2026. Our group rate is $154.00 a night. 

Book Your Room by Feb __, 2026 

Click HERE to book your room at the Embassy Suites.

Join us the night prior for our Celebration of Nurses Click HERE for Information. 

Speakers

Donte Newsom
Donte Newsom DNP, APRN, FNP-BC

WVNA President, Dr.

Donte Newsom, DNP, FNP-BC, is a family nurse practitioner working in interventional radiology at Allegany Imaging, PC, and UPMC Western Maryland. He is also an adjunct instructor for the family nurse practitioner program at Simmons University. Dr. Newsom earned a BSN, MSN, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice all from West Virginia University. A leader in human and civil rights in West Virginia, Dr. Newsom pursued his Doctor of Nursing Practice with the goal of opening pathways to improve nursing and health care practice. Newsom aspires to influence practice change and shape how care is delivered in the future. Donte currently serves as a board member with Fairness West Virginia, the statewide human/civil rights organization devoted to equal rights for all LGBTQ+ West Virginians. He also serves as a medical officer for Mountaineer Boys State, a board member for The Connecting Link, and on the WVNA Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee (DEI). Donte is a Fairmont, West Virginia, native and spent most of his life in north central WV. He currently lives in Mineral County.