Dear Friend,

NYSNA Nurses Applaud Final Vote to Approve Maimonides Merger

On Thursday, Sept. 17, nurses traveled to Albany once again for the final step in the Maimonides and NYC Health+Hospitals merger. After a lengthy review process and a public hearing where several NYSNA nurses gave testimony in support, the Public Health and Health Planning Council finally approved the merger! NYSNA nurses are excited for the future knowing Maimonides will see significant investments to address resource shortages, staffing ratios, recordkeeping and more. Great job to the nurses who made several trips to ensure their voices were heard!

ECMC Nurses Fight for Safe Staffing

NYSNA nurses at Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) continue to take action with their campaign for safe staffing. ECMC nurses are dealing with chronically short-staffed departments across the hospital, including the emergency, behavioral health and comprehensive psychiatric emergency program departments. Nurses have been wearing red on Wednesdays and donning buttons with a QR code to submit Department of Health complaints.

On Thursday, Sept. 17, nurses gave a presentation on emergency department staffing and made sure new COO Casie Davis understood what needs to be done. Safe staffing isn't a request it's a demand! Management promised to post vacancies and find ways to expedite hiring more emergency department positions. We applaud the ECMC nurses for keeping up their fight demanding safe staffing now!

Nurses at ECMC, including Lona DeNisco, Geovanna DiGesare and Crystal Knihinicki, also led and participated in member leader training. Members practiced scenarios representing coworkers in disciplines and investigations, gaining a better understanding of the grievance process. ECMC nurses believe that an informed membership is a strong membership!

Nurses Connect at Central Region Interregional

On Wednesday, Sept. 9, NYSNA members from Wynn Hospital, Oneida Health Hospital, and Hospice and Palliative Care attended the Central Region Interregional meeting in Utica. Nurses discussed long-term plans for their union work. Margaret Franks, RN, BSN, NYSNA staffing coordinator, also gave a presentation on staffing.

NYSNA Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

People of Latin American descent have been in this country for centuries, and today approximately 10% of nurses in the U.S. and 25% of New York state residents are Hispanic/Latine. NYSNA uplifts our Hispanic and Latine members and their contributions to healthcare and labor year-round!

NYSNA Nurses Honor Workers of 9/11 in Labor Mass

On Sept. 12, NYSNA members came together at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Manhattan to honor and remember the workers of 9/11. Nurses joined other labor union members for a banner procession followed by a special Labor Mass. We were proud to join in solidarity with our union siblings to commemorate Labor Day 2026 and the 9/11 workers on the 25th anniversary.

NYSNA Nurses Attend the Launch of New Office of Worker Power

All workers deserve to have a union voice; that's why NYSNA nurses were excited to join the launch of New York City's new Office of Worker Power on Friday, Sept. 11. We are proud that our city is focused on protecting workers' rights and supporting worker organizing and worker power!

Unions Say No to Vouchers for Private Schools

On Wednesday, Sept. 16, NYSNA nurses rallied at the United Federation of Teachers headquarters to tell Governor Kathy Hochul to opt out of a school voucher program for those attending private school. Nurses joined union and community siblings from the UFT, NYSUT, CLC, AFL-CIO, NAACP, Community Voices Heard, ALIGN, New York Communities for Change, Citizen Action and many more. The voucher program would strip funding from public schools and take resources away from those students. We must continue to support public education and ensure everyone has access to quality education, not just a few.

Nurses at Nyack Hospital Demand to Start Bargaining

After a month of requesting bargaining dates, a dozen nurses at Montefiore Nyack Hospital knocked on the door of the vice president of Human Resources requesting bargaining dates. She was unavailable at the time, but her executive assistant came to the door and informed the nurses that she would pass their message along.

Later that afternoon, the NYSNA Executive Committee at Nyack raised the issue during the labor-management meeting with the vice president of Human Resources, who stated the dates that our union previously proposed did not work for them and asked for additional dates. The Executive Committee made it clear that we had already made our request and that it is now time for management to provide dates for bargaining.

Our union also reiterated the goal of reaching a fair contract by the Dec. 31, 2026 expiration date. The Executive Committee led by LBU President Anna Marie Perkins, RN, made the message clear that the time to sit down and bargain is now!

NYSNA Nurses Ratify New Contract

Congratulations to the nurses at Arlington Central School District in New York's Hudson Valley who ratified their contract last week! Nurses held open bargaining sessions for the first time while negotiating this contract, and won an increase of up to 34% over the lifetime of the contract in addition to increases for longevity, tuition reimbursement and certifications.

Get Ready to Get Out the Vote!

It's time to get out the vote! With just five weeks until early voting starts across the state, TEAM NYSNA will be hitting the phones and doors to elect nurse champions who we know will stand with us in our fights for safe staffing, fair contracts and health justice! Sign up for a GOTV canvas or a phone bank near you. Stay tuned for more exciting endorsement news next week!

NYSNA Celebrates With Bronx Dems

On Sept. 16, NYSNA nurses attended the Bronx Democratic Party Gala in Marina Del Rey. Nurses met with elected officials at the gala, including New York State Senator Shelley Mayer and Assembly Member Karines Reyes, RN. The annual event brings together elected officials, community leaders, labor partners, advocates and more from across the Bronx to celebrate the partnerships that move the borough forward.

Register for the 2026 NYSNA Convention

Online registration is now open for the 2026 NYSNA Convention! This year, NYSNA members will gather for Convention on Oct. 26 and 27 at the New York Hilton Midtown in New York City. You can register and save your spot today. After you register, you’ll receive information to reserve your room if you’re staying on-site. Download and share the registration flyer that has the schedule and course listings. Check out the NYSNA website for workshop descriptions, hotel information, Convention Delegate reimbursement policy, and more.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to high demand and possible space limitations for this event, preregistration is required to guarantee Convention attendance. Please be sure to register by Monday, Oct. 12. On-site registration may not be available.

Join NYSNA Nurses at the 57th Annual African American Day Parade

On Sunday, Sept. 20, NYSNA nurses are marching in the 57th Annual African American Day Parade to celebrate African American culture, heritage and legacy in the heart of Harlem. RSVP here, and share this flyer with your fellow NYSNA members.

Fall 2026 Labor Education Trainings Open for Registration — Anyone Can Become a Member Leader!

NYSNA’s Labor Education Department offers workshops to members on how to be more engaged in the union’s work. Our fall 2026 virtual trainings include learning about NYSNA and the labor movement, how to increase turnout at union meetings and events, how to take control of meetings with management, understanding how AI is being used in our hospitals, how to fill out a protest of assignment and more. View Labor Education’s complete fall schedule.

Registration is also open for our four-part Leadership Training taking place on four consecutive Wednesdays: Sept. 23, Sept. 30, Oct. 7 and Oct. 14. The Member Leader Training has long been a resource for nurses who want to build union power by advocating for their patients and themselves. Members can do all four parts or choose whichever parts are most relevant to your needs or schedule. This is an accredited training; each part is 3.0 CHs/0.3 CEUs.

Please share the flyer of upcoming workshops with your coworkers and email [email protected] directly if you have questions or to schedule a workshop in your facility.

Protesting Your Assignment Self-Guided Course

NYSNA’s Nursing Education and Practice department has a new “Protesting Your Assignment” self-guided course. Read more about the course and how you can use protests of assignment to improve safe, quality healthcare. To access the course, go directly to the E-LearRN website.

NYSNA Support With Immigration Issues

Your union is here to help with immigration issues, including concerns about Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, Temporary Protected Status, residency for you and your household, or Visa and work authorization issues. Fill out the confidential form for more information and consultation. For more immigration resources, visit the New York Immigration Coalition’s website.

Your Rights to Advocate for Patients When Encountering ICE

Nurses’ first duty is to care for and advocate for our patients. NYSNA nurses care for all New Yorkers regardless of immigration status, income or insurance status, race, religion, ability or disability, sexuality, or gender identity or expression — simply regardless. Read our statement regarding the federal policy change on immigration enforcement in “sensitive locations,” including hospitals and schools.

Our allies at the New York Immigration Coalition developed this toolkit to provide a comprehensive list of resources for community members, partners and allies who work with immigrants. The toolkit covers health, community safety, family resources, financial empowerment and more.

Learn your rights and get answers to frequently asked questions here to know what to do if you encounter ICE officers in your facility.

NYSNA has also prepared this list of legal resources related to immigration. Please review and share widely.

How Prepared Is Your Facility for Weather Emergencies?

Weather emergencies have become more frequent and more extreme in the last few years. Preplanning is a must to make sure healthcare facilities are ready under extreme conditions to meet the needs of patients, staff and the community. This list of questions, which NYSNA's Emergency Preparedness Committee developed, is a helpful tool to use when assessing facility preparedness with management. For more information or to join the committee, contact NYSNA's Occupational Health and Safety Representatives at [email protected].

New Emergency Preparedness Resources From NYSNA Health and Safety

Most healthcare services are considered essential, and healthcare providers must plan carefully to maintain services in the event of an emergency. NYSNA Occupational Health and Safety recently launched a new resource hub to help guide facilities and individuals on the best practices for emergency response. Check it out here for access to resources on inclement weather, wildfire smoke conditions and more.

Protecting Correctional Staff From Hazardous Exposures Fact Sheet

Healthcare workers in correctional settings are contending with new on-the-job health risks from an old hazard: recreational drugs brought into facilities. New synthetic drugs are being developed more frequently and too quickly for testing protocols and technology to keep up. To prepare and protect NYSNA members working in correctional and forensic settings, NYSNA’s Occupational Health and Safety Team has created a new fact sheet, which includes safety measures employers can take to protect healthcare workers. Check it out here.

Sign Up for New NNU Courses Free for NYSNA Members

National Nurses United (NNU) is offering FREE virtual courses for NYSNA members. View the full calendar and register here. When registering for NNU courses, be sure to check the first box, “Yes, I am a CNA/NNOC/NNU member.”

Fall offerings:

• “Nursing Practice in Our Current Moment & Some Cuts Don’t Heal”

• “Immigrant Justice, Global Migration, and Public Health”

• “Increasing Danger of Workplace Violence in Health Care”

• “Housing and Health”

• “Health Care and Big Tech”

• “Some Cuts Don’t Heal: Protecting the Right to Care”

Complete the 2026-2027 NEP Learning Needs Assessment

The learning needs assessment survey helps NYSNA Nursing Education and Practice (NEP) understand nurses’ learning and professional development needs to improve patient care, workplace safety, job satisfaction and union strength. Please take a moment to complete the survey to help inform future programs and offerings. Participation is voluntary, and responses are confidential.

2027 Seminar at Sea — Registration Now Open

Registration for the 2027 Seminar at Sea is now open! Join NYSNA members for an exclusive program that combines professional development with an unforgettable Mediterranean cruise experience. Enjoy expert-led sessions, meaningful networking and premium accommodations while exploring stunning destinations. Learn more about the course here.

Class attendance is open to the following only:

• NYSNA members

• NNU affiliate members

The cruise is open to public attendance; the restriction applies to the class/seminar.

Spots are limited — register early.

NEW ISSUE! The Journal of the New York State Nurses Association

A new volume of The Journal of the New York Nurses Association is out now! This issue includes articles on infection prevention for visiting nurses, how health promotion outcomes for college students have changed since the COVID-19 pandemic, contemporary challenges in nursing, and more. You can read it here.

Read the latest flyer outlining submission categories here. Read the guidelines for submission here.

Med-Ed Continuing Education Discount

NYSNA has partnered with Med-Ed Continuing Nursing Education to provide NYSNA members with full access to the complete Med-Ed catalog at a 50% reduced rate. These are all self-study programs that members can access and complete at their leisure. You can access these course offerings by going to NYSNA’s members-only website here, then clicking on the Med-Ed website link, and entering the Promo Code NYSNAMEMBER at checkout, where the discount will apply.

Please do not share this information with any nonmembers.

2026 Nurse Education and Practice Workshops

Sign up for Nurse Education and Practice Workshops in 2026! NYSNA members can take advantage of FREE E-LeaRN courses, including state-mandated offerings, standard of practice and certification review courses, as well as nursing practice workshops. Take a look at the 2026 complete course offering, and register for the courses directly here. You must create an account and be signed in to search the full catalog of classes and register for them at no cost!

Calling All Nurse Practitioners

The NYSNA Nursing Education and Practice Department has added required and important educational offerings specifically for nurse practitioners (NPs). The courses include new, updated and mandated courses. Learn more and register for these classes for NYSNA NPs.

Nurses’ Rights to Be Whistleblowers and Protest Your Assignments

NYSNA members should be empowered with the knowledge of laws that have been passed with NYSNA’s input to protect them and empower them to speak up when patient safety is compromised, either due to unsafe staffing or other factors, such as a lack of personal protective equipment, as was the case throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Take a moment to learn about your rights in this flyer.

Discounted Online Degree Programs for NYSNA Members!

NYSNA members and their family members will soon be eligible for a 20% discount on online degree programs from Post University. Nursing programs offered include:

• Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)

• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with five specializations

• RN to BSN/MSN

• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with four leadership specializations

• Graduate Certificate in Infection Prevention and Control

• Master of Business Administration-Healthcare (MBA-Healthcare)

• MSN/MBA-Healthcare

Download and share the flyer for more information about the partnership and apply here.

NYSNA Life Insurance — It’s Time to Designate Your Beneficiary!

To ensure your loved ones receive your Basic MetLife insurance benefit, you must designate them as a beneficiary! To enroll and receive instructions on designating a beneficiary for your new Basic Personal AD&D Insurance, go to nysnawinstonbenefits.com or call 1-866-483-1124.

Sign up with your NYSNA Member ID to set up and access your account and benefits. If you need your Member ID, please contact the NYSNA Membership department at [email protected]. Download the flyer for additional details.

NYSNA Will-Writing Benefits From MetLife

The NYSNA Benefits Fund gives NYSNA members who are covered by the NYSNA Benefits Fund access to personal will preparation services that MetLife Legal Plans offer — at no additional cost. As part of this benefit, members get legal guidance and unlimited consultations with network attorneys. Learn more here.

NYSNA Members Are Eligible for AFL-CIO’s Union Plus Benefits!

As an affiliate of the AFL-CIO, NYSNA members are also eligible for Union Plus benefits. Find out more on the AFL-CIO Union Plus website.

The Talkspace Go App Is Mental Health on the Go!

The Talkspace Go app is a great resource that provides daily mental health support on the go! Talkspace Go app is available at no cost to members and their eligible household members! Click here for the instructions and passcode to access the app.

Free Benefits for NYSNA Members: Union Assistance Program and SPAN

The Union Assistance Program (UAP) is a confidential self-help program, independent from NYSNA, that is available to NYSNA members and their families as a membership benefit. When an employee or family member (18 or older) faces a significant personal problem, they can call UAP’s experienced counselors at 800-252-4555 for assistance at any time. Learn more.

Statewide Peer Assistance for Nurses (SPAN) is a confidential education, support and advocacy program for all nurses licensed in New York state who are dealing with substance use issues. Visit the SPAN website for more information or to sign up for one of its upcoming classes. Check out SPAN’s Compassion Project.

September is Recovery Month, and SPAN has partnered with Wellable to offer free wellness activities for NYSNA members! Sign up for Wellable for access to a variety of resources to support you on your wellness journey, including:

• Events: Participate in monthly live, interactive events, including educational presentations and experiential wellness activities, ranging from physical fitness to meditation to trivia.

  • Oct. 6 — Improving Productivity

  • Nov. 3 — Social Wellness

  • Dec. 1 — Healthy Aging

• On-Demand Videos: Access a variety of videos, including stretching, high-intensity impact training classes, meditation, a mindfulness series, a recipe library and sleep stories.

• Guided Breaks: Catch a break to rest, recharge and feel better in just a few minutes.

In solidarity,
Pat Kane, RN
Executive Director, NYSNA