Dear Friend,

NYSNA Rallies With Coalition to Advocate for Immigrant Healthcare Workers

Yesterday, NYSNA joined a coalition of healthcare workers, labor leaders and elected officials, and supporters for a day of action in New York City called “Healthcare Needs All of Us,” highlighting the importance of supporting and protecting immigrants working in healthcare.

Nearly 20% of the United States’ essential caregivers and providers in hospitals, nursing homes, and home and community-based care were born outside of the United States. Roughly 1 million hold legal work permissions that are being threatened under the Trump administration. As more immigrant workers disappear from healthcare workplaces around the country and fewer immigrants seek care because of fear of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, frontline healthcare workers and advocates spoke out.

NYSNA President Nancy Hagans, RN, BSN, CCRN, spoke alongside labor leaders and elected officials on the steps of City Hall. Then, nurses and healthcare workers rallied outside Maimonides Medical Center, Interfaith Medical Center, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York City Health+Hospitals/Bellevue and Kings County hospitals to fight back against federal immigration policies that harm our communities’ health.

We are standing together to protect our healthcare workforce, and access to safe, quality care for the nation’s most vulnerable patients. Learn more and take action!

Several news outlets covered the day of action, including PIX11 and Spectrum Noticias.

Northwell Health/ Putnam Hospital Nurses Keep Up Their Contract Fight With Petition Delivery

On Tuesday, NYSNA nurses at Northwell Health/ Putnam Hospital marched on the boss to deliver a petition with almost 1,000 signatures demanding that management deliver a fair contract with safe staffing! For months, NYSNA nurses have been bargaining for a new union contract, but instead of doing what’s best for nurses and patients, Northwell / Putnam Hospital administrators are pushing for unsafe nurse-to-patient ratios. Putnam Hospital nurses will keep fighting for a fair contract that allows them to deliver quality care for their community!

NYSNA Nurses March in the 57th Annual African American Day Parade

Last weekend, NYSNA joined the 57th Annual African American Day Parade in Harlem to celebrate the legacy and history of Black Americans in New York City! NYSNA honors our African American members who continue to advocate for racial justice, health equity, and workplace dignity.

Nurses Connect at Long Island Interregional

On Wednesday, Sept. 24, nurses from across Long Island gathered in solidarity at NYSNA’s Melville office. After welcoming new Long Island Area Director James Ferris, NYSNA members shared stories about what's been happening at their facilities and reminded one another that safe staffing is the issue!

NYSNA Board Members Christopher Honor, BS, BSN, RN, CAPA, Michelle Jones, MSN, RN, ANPC, and Marie Boyle, BSN, RN, all attended and highlighted our recent victories and the power of our solidarity. Members discussed how regardless of whether they work at Northwell facilities or Catholic Health hospitals, their experience in hard-fought contract campaigns and on “joint” staffing committees is remarkably similar: We need to fight for what we want, and when we do, we can win! NYSNA members left the meeting reinvigorated and ready for the challenges that lie ahead, including ongoing negotiations at Catholic Health/ St. Catherine’s, and upcoming contract campaigns at Northwell/ Peconic Bay Medical Center and Northwell/ Long Island Jewish Valley Stream.

Adirondack Medical Center’s “Bannergate” Continues

NYSNA nurses at Adirondack Medical Center are in shock that their union banners keep disappearing in the typically tranquil town of Saranac Lake. Nurses are fighting for a fair contract, but three of their banners have been stolen since they hung the first one on Aug. 19. If you’re upset that someone keeps trying to silence the nurses, tell hospital CEO Aaron Kramer to settle a fair contract with nurses today!

NYSNA Nurses Attend NYC Climate Week

NYSNA members, including Director at Large Flandersia Jones, DrPH, RN, participated in several events as part of New York City’s Climate Week, including the kick-off event featuring former Vice President Al Gore and a City Council Climate Week Reception with Council Member Sandy Nurse. Jones spoke on the "Frontline Defenders: Health, Worker Rights, and Care in a Changing Climate" panel discussion that the AFL-CIO Solidarity Center hosted, which was about the connection between worker justice and climate justice. To get more involved with NYSNA’s climate justice work, sign up today!

Take the Night Shift Nurse Survey!

NYSNA is launching a night shift nurse survey to better understand the experiences, health, well-being, workplace conditions, and professional needs of registered nurses who work night shifts across New York state. Responses are anonymous and NYSNA will use them to identify opportunities to improve working conditions, nurse well-being, patient safety, and retention of night-shift nurses. You are encouraged to take the survey if you work permanent night shift, primarily night shift, rotating day/night shifts, or per diem nights.

Our members at Westchester Medical Center championed this survey, and the 2025 NYSNA Convention delegates voted overwhelmingly to pass Resolution 19 to assess our night-shift nurse members’ health, wellness and other needs. Please take eight to 10 minutes to complete the survey!

NYSNA Releases General Election Endorsements

Our ability to strengthen our public health infrastructure and our social safety net and to take action to support frontline workers depends on electing candidates who support nurses, healthcare professionals, and our communities. We are proud to announce our first round of endorsements for the 2026 November general election. These candidates share our values of community and compassion and will fight for us, our patients, and working people everywhere. Read the full list of endorsements here.

Get Ready to Get Out the Vote!

It's time to get out the vote (GOTV)! With just five weeks until early voting starts across the state, TEAM NYSNA will be hitting the phones and doors to elect nurse champions whom 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!

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.

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. Please join us for the remaining parts even if you missed Part 1 on Sept. 23! 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.

On Tuesday, Sept. 29 at 8 p.m., please join members from across the state for a "Welcome to Your Union" workshop, whether you are new to NYSNA or looking to get more involved. We'll cover what a union is, and we'll talk about the union structures and the many ways to get involved in building union power! Register here and please share the flyer of upcoming workshops with your coworkers. 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