Dear Friend,

NYSNA Pushes Back on New Mount Sinai Policy Denying Care to Patients with Public Insurance Plans

This week, after learning that Mount Sinai has stopped accepting some new patients on public insurance, NYSNA released the following statement:

“NYSNA is appalled by Mount Sinai’s refusal to accept certain new patients with public insurance plans. Federal healthcare cuts already threaten our most vulnerable patients — children, seniors, people with disabilities, immigrants and lower income New Yorkers — as well as our struggling public and safety net hospitals. As a nonprofit healthcare system, Mount Sinai has a responsibility to serve all patients. As one of the wealthiest systems in New York, Mount Sinai can afford to serve all patients rather than forcing some patients to seek care at struggling hospitals that already serve a disproportionate number of vulnerable patients. Hospitals should never withhold care or use patients as bargaining chips in negotiations with insurance companies.

“Mount Sinai must clarify their policy on new patients. Mount Sinai pulled information on their website about not accepting some new patients only after reporters found it. We urge Mount Sinai hospital administrators to allow these patients to make appointments and receive care and to fulfill your obligation to serve patients regardless of insurance status, including Medicare and Medicaid coverage.”

NYS DOH Launches Investigation at UVMH-Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital

Last week, the New York State Department of Health’s (DOH) Clinical Staffing Unit launched an investigation at University of Vermont Health-Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (UVMH-CVPH). For months, nurses have been filing staffing complaints with the DOH, as hospital administrators have failed to address their concerns and attempted to make staffing less safe during contract negotiations. NYSNA members on the Clinical Staffing Committee met with investigators during their visit and asked them to remind management that they are required to share the results of the investigation with the committee and work collaboratively on solutions. As a result, CVPH’s Chief Nursing Officer sent an email to members confirming that the DOH report will be shared when it’s received. Great work, CVPH members, your dedication and consistency in filing complaints is pushing the DOH to hold hospital administrators accountable!

Brooks Memorial Members Attend Groundbreaking Ceremony for New State-of-the-Art Facility

On Thursday, Aug. 13, NYSNA members from Brooks Memorial Hospital joined hospital executives and Governor Kathy Hochul to break ground on a brand-new state-of-the-art hospital in Fredonia. The new hospital, which will replace the current Brooks facility in Dunkirk, comes after years of hard work and dedication by NYSNA and 1199 SEIU members who fought for the state to follow through with new hospital funding to keep care local and ensure safe, quality patient care for their community. Congratulations, Brooks members!

NEW RESOURCE: About Clinical Staffing Committees

Interested in learning more about Clinical Staffing Committees? Check out the newest resource from NYSNA’s Statewide Staffing Committee, which includes information on what clinical staffing committees do, who can join and how to get involved at your facility!

If you haven’t already, check out the Statewide Staffing Committee section of My Membership for information about New York’s safe staffing law, how to improve staffing at your facility and the minutes from our latest committee meeting!

Welcome Back, NYSNA Deputy Executive Director Michelle Crentsil – and Other NYSNA Staff Updates!

This week, NYSNA is excited to welcome back Deputy Executive Director Michelle Crentsil, who is returning from parental leave! Crentsil previously served as NYSNA political director, and in that role her vision and leadership helped usher in better COVID-19 safety, safe staffing legislation, New York state budget and nurse practice victories, and the election of dozens of labor and nurse champions to office. As deputy executive director, she will play a leading role in enacting the member vision and direction of the entire union.

NYSNA is also proud to announce the following promotions:

• Ed Yoo, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Campaigns. Yoo previously served as NYSNA director of research, where he worked to expand the department, developed new strategic research capacity and corporate campaigns, and helped win new organizing and countless contract campaigns for NYSNA members. In his new role, he will focus on integrating the work of different NYSNA departments into strategic campaigns.

• Mischa Gaus, Area Director. Gaus previously served as an acting area director, working primarily with NYSNA members at Montefiore facilities on contract campaigns and enforcement. He is now area director for the entire Montefiore system and soon he will lead bargaining the second coordinated contract campaign in the lower Hudson Valley at Montefiore Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, and Nyack.

• Joe Celestin, Communications Manager. Celestin previously served as NYSNA upstate communications coordinator. He managed the development and launch of NYSNA’s new website and has contributed to successful legislative campaigns and contract victories in Western New York, the Capital Region and the North Country. In his new role, he is based in New York City office supporting campaigns throughout the state and building NYSNA’s strategic communications capacity.

NYSNA President Nancy Hagans Pens Op-Ed in the New York Daily News

After holding a candlelight vigil at Maimonides Medical Center earlier this month, NYSNA nurses have continued to sound the alarm about the termination of Haitian Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and its impact on our healthcare system. This week, NYSNA President Nancy Hagans, BSN, RN, CCRN, penned an opinion editorial in the New York Daily News about the disruption healthcare workers and patients are seeing in and around New York City. Read the op-ed in full.

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 our newly added workshop descriptions, hotel information, Convention Delegate reimbursement policy, guidelines for submitting resolutions (including the link to the resolutions submission form) and more.

The deadline to submit resolutions is Thursday, Aug. 27.

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.

Save the Date: West Indian American Day Carnival

Celebrate the Caribbean diaspora on Labor Day Weekend in Brooklyn with NYSNA nurses! We will be marching and dancing in the parade along Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn to send the message that nurses care for our communities. RSVP today and download and share the flyer.

Save the Date: Labor Day Celebrations in New York City and Westchester County

Celebrate Labor Day with NYSNA and our allies in the labor movement across New York state!

On Sept. 8, NYSNA members will march and rally with the New York Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO. Learn more and register here.

In Westchester County, NYSNA members will attend a family day on Sunday, Aug. 30, organized by the Westchester-Putnam County Labor Body. Download the flyer to learn more.

Stay tuned for information on Labor Day celebrations in your area.

Fall 2026 Labor Education Trainings Open for Registration!

NYSNA’s Labor Education Department offers workshops to members on how to be more engaged in the union’s work. For more information, please visit the NYSNA Labor Education webpage.

Check out the newly released fall 2026 schedule of virtual trainings on Zoom. The standard training series begins on Wednesday, Sept. 2, with an interactive workshop where we’ll cover some basic rights that workers have when organizing and engaging in union activity without fear of retaliation. Other workshops throughout the fall 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 artificial intelligence is being used in our hospitals, how to fill out a protest of assignment and more.

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 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.

NEW: 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.

Wildfire Resources

With smoke from Canada’s wildfires darkening and polluting many of the skies across New York state, it’s an important reminder to take precautions — outdoors and inside. Check your local air quality with this online tool from the Environmental Protection Agency, and download NYSNA’s fact sheet, “How Healthcare Facilities Can Prepare for Wildfire Smoke Conditions,” to learn more about the health impacts of wildfire smoke and how your facility can prepare.

Infectious Disease Update: Ebola

The new Bundibugyo strain of Ebola is making headlines around the world. While the risk of Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease reaching American hospitals is low at this time, it’s best to know the symptoms and ensure your hospital has a readiness plan. Check out this updated resource for the latest Ebola strain.

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.”

Summer 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”

• “Hospital Staffing and Bearing Witness, Building Power”

• “Housing and Health-and-Health Care and Big Tech”

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

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

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.

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 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.

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.

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