Dear Friend,

NYSNA Celebrates Certified Nurses Day!

Thursday, March 19, was Certified Nurses Day. NYSNA celebrates the remarkable nurses who have gone above and beyond to achieve specialty certification. Your commitment to learning, leadership and excellence is a powerful reflection of your dedication to the patients, families and communities you serve. Certification is more than a credential. It’s a promise you make every day to uphold the highest standards of practice. Your expertise strengthens your teams, elevates our profession and inspires those around you to keep growing.

Congratulations to all of our certified nurses; you truly make a difference.

Nurses Speak Out to Save Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center and Carthage Area Hospital

On Wednesday, March 18, NYSNA nurses from North Star/Carthage Area Hospital and Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center held a speak-out to protect patient care! Earlier this year, the hospital group that runs both facilities — North Star Health Alliance — filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Despite receiving support from the New York State Department of Health (DOH) in recent weeks, Carthage and Claxton-Hepburn are still facing potential staff and service cuts and closures. Frontline nurses at both facilities know that losing any number of beds would exacerbate the existing patient care crisis in the North Country, and they are taking action to demand that the DOH stabilize funding for their hospitals to maintain access to essential services in their communities! Keep up the great work, Carthage and Claxton-Hepburn nurses! NNY360, WWNYTV and North Country Now covered the speak-out.

Brooklyn Hospital Center Nurses March on the Boss and Win Back Their Health Benefits!

On March 17, NYSNA nurses at The Brooklyn Hospital Center took their demands to restore health coverage directly to CEO Gary Terrinoni’s luxury condo. Nurses had been working for more than 45 days without health insurance after hospital executives failed to pay into their benefit fund. After pressure from nurses and elected officials, the hospital received millions in state funding but only made a partial payment toward restoring benefits. Nurses marched and demanded that hospital executives reinstate their coverage, cover medical expenses incurred in February when their benefits were cut and commit to protect their benefits in the future. NYSNA President Nancy Hagans, RN, BSN, CCRN; New York City Central Labor Council President Brendan Griffith; New York City Council Member Mercedes Narcisse; and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso joined the nurses to speak out.

Almost immediately, hospital executives finalized the payment and paperwork needed to fully restore nurses’ health benefits. Congrats, nurses! But the fight continues to get the hospital to cover past expenses, never let our healthcare coverage lapse again and pay the pension contributions it owes nurses. The Brooklyn Paper, The City, 1010 Wins, ABC 7, NY1 and the New York Amsterdam News covered the action.

Inaugural Meeting of NYSNA’s Statewide Staffing Committee

On Thursday, March 19, NYSNA members met for the first time as part of the new NYSNA Statewide Staffing Committee, a space for members to connect, share challenges they're facing, and work together on potential solutions to enforce and improve the 2021 staffing committee law we won. Members reviewed how the law works and discussed best practices and challenges around creating staffing plans, participating in hospital-based staffing committees, filing DOH complaints and using the law in conjunction with our union contract-based staffing enforcement tools. More information about the committee will soon be on the NYSNA website. RSVP to Margaret Franks if you would like to join the next quarterly meeting.

St. Joseph’s Medical Center Nurses Speak Out Next Week

Join nurses at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Yonkers on Thursday, March 26, at noon for a speak-out to demand safe staffing and real enforcement to protect patients and nurses. Nurses are united for dignity and respect and are demanding that the hospital put patients over profits! RSVP here.

NYSNA Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Committee

NYSNA is forming an Emergency/Disaster Preparedness committee and is seeking representation from each NYSNA facility. The committee will be led by NYSNA Health and Safety, with the goal of encouraging collaboration and information sharing between NYSNA facilities. Sign up to join and learn more info!

Spring 2026 Labor Education Trainings Open for Registration

NYSNA’s Labor Education Department trains members on how to become more engaged in the work of the union. Sign up for Labor Education’s standard virtual/ Zoom trainings. On Wednesday, March 25, join members from across the union to learn about your legal rights as union members! Other workshops will include learning about NYSNA and the labor movement, how to increase turnout at union meetings and events, how to win issues on your unit, how to take control of meetings with management and more. Check out Labor Education’s updated full spring schedule here.

Registration is also open for our four-part Leadership Training taking place on four consecutive Thursdays: April 30, May 7, May 14 and May 21.

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.

New York Health Act Lobby Day

NYSNA nurses were out in Albany for the New York Health Act Lobby Day, joining labor, community and healthcare allies to demand healthcare for all New Yorkers. After seeing how hospital executives put profits over patient care, nurses are continuing to fight for a universal, single-payer system that protects patients and caregivers alike. The movement for healthcare justice is growing, and nurses continue to lead the way on this issue.

Single Payer Committee Meeting

On Wednesday, March 18, over 40 nurses convened at NYSNA’s Single Payer Committee! Nurses discussed their conversations with legislators at our recent NYSNA Lobby Day and heard updates from Melanie D'Arrigo from the Campaign for NY Health, who stressed how important nurse's voices are in advocating for universal, single-payer healthcare for all New Yorkers. NYSNA Western Regional Board Director, John Batson, RN from Erie County Medical Center, accepted the nomination to be the new Chair of the committee. Moving forward, members will continue to work on ways to educate ourselves and others on the importance of passing the NY Health Act. The next meeting will be held on April 15th.

Save the Date! No Kings in New York City!

In the face of federal attacks on our patients, workers and communities, NYSNA members are ready to take action to protect our democracy. Join NYSNA members on Saturday, March 28, at 2 p.m. in Manhattan as part of a nationwide Day of Action to speak out against the federal government’s attacks on workers’ rights, healthcare funding and access. Click here to sign up and share the flyer with your coworkers.

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.

Sign Up for New NNU Courses Free for NYSNA Members

National Nurses United (NNU) is offering FREE virtual courses for NYSNA members. New Spring 2026 courses have been added. View the full calendar and register here, or click on the links below to learn more and register for the courses you’re interested in. When registering for NNU courses, be sure to check the first box, “Yes, I am a CNA/NNOC/NNU member.”

Spring offerings:

• “Our Patients Are Safe When We Are Safe: Workplace Violence and Back Injury Prevention in Health Care Facilities”

• “Trust and Doubt in the Fight for Health”

Seasonal Flu Alert and Resources

Flu season in New York state is continuing in full force. In addition to the expected A and B strains, an additional flu strain mutation (influenza A H3N2 mutated from a “J” subclade to a “K” subclade) has emerged this season. Subclade K has quickly become the dominant strain in the U.S. and a number of other countries. It is not unusual for mutations like this to happen, but because the flu vaccine must be produced many months in advance, this type of change can result in a mismatch between the seasonal flu vaccine and the currently circulating flu strains. While this means the vaccine’s effectiveness may be lower, it can still decrease the incidence of severe disease, hospitalization and death.

Read more on this year’s flu and how to best protect yourself here and use this checklist to assess your facility’s response to the surge. If you have any questions or concerns regarding flu activity and infection control in your facility, please contact the NYSNA Occupational Health and Safety Representatives at [email protected].

Applications for 2026 Secor Scholarships Now Open

The Secor Scholarship Fund, established in 2007, was made possible by a generous bequest by long-time NYSNA member Jane Secor, PhD, RN. Dr. Secor stipulated that the endowment be used for furthering nursing education. Two Secor Scholarships are awarded annually, and applications are now open. One $5,000 scholarship is given to a NYSNA member pursuing a baccalaureate (or higher) degree in nursing. Another $5,000 is awarded to a family member seeking a first degree in nursing. The degree can be at any level, but it must be the first degree in nursing sought by the applicant. Click on this flyer for more information, and visit our website to apply.

NYSNA NEP ACP Educational Needs Survey

We value your input! Your feedback is essential and will help us enhance the NYSNA Nursing Education Program (NEP) and create new continuing education opportunities designed specifically for our Advanced Clinical Providers/Practitioners (ACP) members. Please take a moment to complete our survey. Your participation is entirely voluntary, and we sincerely appreciate your time and insights. All responses are completely confidential and will directly inform the future programs and offerings we develop. If you have any questions, call 212-785-0157, ext. 377, or email [email protected]. Thank you for your participation in this survey and for your dedication to lifelong learning!

Reporting Child Abuse Course Addendum Is Live on E-LeaRN

NYSNA’s Nursing Education and Practice (NEP) is happy to announce that NYSNA’S NYS Child Abuse: Identification and Reporting, 8th Edition — Addendum online course is now live on our E-LeaRN platform.

Anyone who completed the NYSNA course, NYS Child Abuse: Identification and Reporting, 8th Edition, through the NYSNA E-LeaRN platform between Oct. 1, 2023, and Sept. 30, 2025, is eligible to complete the addendum course with us. The addendum course is free for NYSNA members. If you are eligible, you may access the addendum course by logging onto E-LeaRN by clicking “Browse Catalog” and searching for “addendum.”

Every person who is required to take the mandated training related to child abuse must take either the full three-hour course or the one-hour addendum portion of the training by Nov. 17, 2026.

Check out the NYSNA website for the latest updates to this requirement. If you have any questions about your E-LeaRN account, please contact NEP at [email protected].

Call for Submissions! The Journal of the New York State Nurses Association

The Journal of the New York Nurses Association is calling for submissions. Authors are invited to submit scholarly papers, research studies, brief reports on clinical or educational innovations, and articles of opinion on subjects important to registered nurses. Of particular interest are papers addressing direct care issues. New authors and student authors are encouraged to submit manuscripts for publication. Read the latest flyer outlining submission categories here. Read the guidelines for submission here.

The latest volume of The Journal of the New York State Nurses Association is out now! You can read it 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 catalogue 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.

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

NYSNA already provides members with a great benefit at no cost: Basic MetLife Life Insurance! This coverage provides $20,000 of Basic Life Insurance and $20,000 of Basic Personal Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance. All active members in good standing represented for collective bargaining through the union will automatically be enrolled in the plan. This union benefit is in addition to any other insurance provided by your benefits fund, your contract or through your employer.

But for your loved ones to receive this 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.

Having a will prevents unnecessary stress and ensures final wishes are clear. The Benefits Fund offers valuable legal resources through MetLife Legal Plans to assist with creating or updating a will with a member’s Basic Life coverage. 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!

The benefits of being a NYSNA member extend beyond your NYSNA benefits. As an affiliate of the AFL-CIO, NYSNA members are also eligible for Union Plus benefits to help current and retired labor union members and their families save money and support them through major milestones, celebrations and hardships. These benefits include discounts on wireless plans, credit card deals, mortgage deals, insurance plans and more! 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 is a clinician-created, self-guided app so you can address mental health challenges and build mental fitness on your own schedule. It empowers couples, individuals and parents to take progress into their own hands in as little as five minutes a day. Access 400-plus self-guided classes and live weekly therapist-led, anonymous classes. Enjoy assessments, meditation exercises, journaling, reminders and more.

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. Read more information on phone counseling services here. Check out theMarch 2026 newsletterhere to strengthen your financial future. 

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.

In solidarity,
Pat Kane, RN
Executive Director, NYSNA