Dear Friend,

NYSNA Nurses Celebrate Labor Day With the Westchester-Putnam Central Labor Body

This past weekend, NYSNA nurses, including Director-at-Large Sonia Lawrence, BSN, RN, Southern Regional Director Alizia McMyers, MSN, MHA, RN, and Lower Hudson/New Jersey Regional Director Mary-Lynn Boyts, RN, kicked off Labor Day celebrations at the Westchester-Putnam Central Labor Body’s Annual Labor Family Day. Nurses were excited to join our labor siblings and build union power in the Hudson Valley! Check out photos from the event on the NYSNA Facebook page.

This weekend, NYSNA members across New York state will continue to celebrate Labor Day! Join us at one of the following events to honor the contributions of workers:

• Buffalo Labor Day Parade — Monday, Sept. 7. RSVP here.

• Massena Labor Day Parade — Monday, Sept. 7. RSVP here.

• Albany Labor Day Celebration — Monday, Sept. 7. RSVP here.

• New York City Labor Day March and Rally — Tuesday, Sept. 8. RSVP here.

Join NYSNA Nurses at the 2026 West Indian American Day Parade

On Monday, Sept. 7, join NYSNA nurses in celebrating the Caribbean diaspora! 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.

Adirondack Nurses Hold Strong in the Fight for a Fair Contract

Last week, NYSNA nurses from Adirondack Medical Center hung a banner in Saranac Lake, calling on community members to support nurses’ fight for a fair contract. But within hours, the banner disappeared from the spot where nurses hung it. After months of bargaining with management, Adirondack nurses refused to be deterred, though, and later that week, they hung a replacement banner in the same spot, once again calling on community members to take action. Members are fired up after the disappearance of their banner and even more steadfast in their demands for a contract that includes affordable healthcare benefits for frontline nurses and their families and ensures safe, quality care for their community. Keep up the good fight, Adirondack nurses!

Northwell Putnam Hospital Nurses Launch Community Petition

For months, NYSNA nurses at Northwell Putnam Hospital have been bargaining for a fair contract that includes enforceable safe staffing standards. This is Putnam nurses’ first time bargaining with Northwell Health, their new employer, and hospital administrators are pushing for nurse-to-patient ratios that would make it harder for nurses to deliver the quality care their community deserves. This week, to build support for their campaign, nurses launched a community petition, calling on Putnam County residents to amplify nurses’ contract demands. Keep up the great work, Putnam nurses.

Show your support for NYSNA nurses at Northwell Putnam Hospital by signing their petition here.

Despite Widespread Pushback, Montefiore AI Layoffs Take Effect

Earlier this year, Montefiore announced a plan to lay off utilization review nurses and replace them with an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered software created by Datavant, a private equity-backed technology company with a history of data breaches. In response, NYSNA members organized a town hall meeting in July to sound the alarm on Montefiore’s plan and to pressure the health system to reverse course. Community members, advocates and elected officials joined the town hall and spoke in support of NYSNA members impacted by the layoffs.

Despite the support nurses received during and after the virtual town hall, Montefiore moved forward with its plan, and the layoffs took effect this week. NYSNA nurses at Montefiore refuse to give up, though, and are challenging the layoffs, which violate the contract that nurses settled earlier this year by going on strike.

AI can never replace experienced nurses’ clinical knowledge, so NYSNA nurses at Montefiore will continue to fight against this terrible decision. Don’t give up, Monte nurses; all 45,000 NYSNA members are with you as you fight to protect our patients and our practice from AI and corporate greed!

Erie County Members Build Union Power and Community Solidarity

NYSNA nurses at Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) in Buffalo are taking action to build union power and strengthen their relationship with the community they serve! Nurses are working with NYSNA’s Labor Education department to hold Member Leader Trainings monthly to help nurses hold hospital administrators accountable. ECMC has been backsliding on contract language, staffing ratios and patient safety, so nurses are building union power and educating themselves to protect their patients and nurses' rights. This week, ECMC nurses also held their annual school supply drive. Nurses are proud to pitch in every year to support children in their community. Keep up the great work, ECMC nurses!

Meet Our 2026 Secor Scholarship Awardees!

NYSNA is excited to announce the recipients of the 2026 Secor Scholarship: Janette Fanio, RN, BSN, MHI, and Parris Ennis!

Janette is a NYSNA nurse at Health+Hospitals/Bellevue and is currently pursuing a doctorate in nursing science at CUNY-Hunter College. After finishing her doctorate, Janette plans to use her clinical experience and knowledge to improve nursing practices at New York City’s public institutions and increase patient healthcare literacy.

Parris is a third-year nursing student at the University of Mount Saint Vincent. After finishing her degree, Parris plans to work as a nurse serving underserved communities, and she hopes to one day become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.

Congratulations, Janette and Parris!

SPAN: September Is Recovery Month!

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.

This September, SPAN has partnered with Wellable to provide nurses across New York state with access to wellness resources designed to support your health and well-being. Through Wellable, nurses can explore live wellness events, on-demand content, health education resources and more — all in one convenient platform. Sign up for a free account here.

Visit the SPAN website for more information, to sign up for one of its upcoming classes or to view the Fall 2026 SPAN Newsletter. Check out SPAN’s Compassion Project.

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.

Join the Next Statewide Staffing Committee Meeting

Interested in learning more about New York’s safe staffing law and how to improve staffing at your facility? Join our next Statewide Staffing Committee meeting on Thursday, Sept. 10. RSVP here.

If you haven’t already, check out the Statewide Staffing Committee section of My Membership for information about the staffing law, how to track staffing law at your facility and how to make the staffing law work for you!

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. 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.

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.”

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.

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. 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.

In solidarity,
Pat Kane, RN
Executive Director, NYSNA