More PPE, staffing and representation: Nurses call for change at Capitol rally Nurses Week ‘Speak Out’ event honors frontline workers’ sacrifices during pandemic May 8, 2021 6:16 PM Madalyn O'Neill Updated: MADISON, Wis. – After an intense year caring for patients, nurses are asking for some assistance of their own. They want their voices heard when talking about their struggles, which they say have only gotten worse during the pandemic. “I learned in nursing school we must be advocates for patients, day in and day out,” recent nursing school graduate Ian Torado said. “I realized during the pandemic we need to be advocates for ourselves, as well.”