Dear Friend,

NYSNA Statement on ICE Shooting in Marble Hill, New York City

The New York State Nurses Association released the following statement in response to the ICE shooting on Oct. 8:

NYSNA nurses are horrified that armed ICE agents fired multiple shots at an unarmed man with a five-year-old child on a busy afternoon near schools and businesses. This reckless and potentially deadly action endangered many lives. ICE has no place on our streets or in our hospitals.

The man who was shot was taken to NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital, where he received dignified care from dedicated union nurses. Although there was no continued ICE violence inside the hospital, their presence in the hospital has an intimidating and harmful effect on all patients and hospital staff. Nurses are in solidarity with our immigrant healthcare workers, patients and communities and call for ICE to cease its activities in New York City and state.

Adirondack Medical Center Nurses Hold First Informational Picket in 25 Years to Demand a Fair Contract

On Wednesday, Oct. 7, NYSNA nurses at Adirondack Medical Center held an informational picket to demand that hospital management settle a fair contract that protects patient care in the North Country! Earlier this summer, nurses made history by holding a speak-out, the first public action at the hospital in 25 years; Wednesday’s informational picket was the first held in that same time frame. NBC 5, ABC 22, WAMC Radio and Adirondack Daily Enterprise covered nurses’ historic informational picket.

For nearly a year, Adirondack nurses have been bargaining for a fair contract that includes the affordable health benefits necessary to recruit and retain qualified nurses. Nurses are seeking entry to the NYSNA Benefit Fund, which would provide affordable healthcare for nurses and their families instead of their current insurance: an expensive, employer-provided plan. NYSNA members have reported being denied medically necessary care, including cancer treatments, and many nurses with families have opted to enroll their children in Child Health Plus, New York’s free or low-cost health insurance plan for children, because Adirondack’s plan is unaffordable.

At the picket, NYSNA Second Vice President and Adirondack nurse Bill Schneider, BSN, RN, CCRN, said, “Today we demand that management listen to nurses and settle the fair contract that this community deserves: a contract that will help us recruit and retain enough nurses to ensure North Country residents have access to the safe, high-quality patient care they know and deserve!”

Don’t give up the fight, Adirondack nurses!

NYSNA Members at NYP-Gracie Square Hospital Hold Informational Picket to Demand a Fair Contract

On Thursday, Oct. 8, dozens of NYSNA members from NewYork-Presbyterian Gracie Square Hospital held an informational picket calling on hospital management to agree to a fair contract that addresses chronic understaffing and strengthens protections from workplace violence. Nurses also held a press conference in the morning, where they were joined by labor and elected allies, including New York State Assembly Members Keith Powers and Alex Bores; New York State Senator Kristen Gonzalez; and Brendan Griffith, president of the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO. Upper East Site covered the press conference.

Check out photos of the picket on the NYSNA Facebook page.

For months, Gracie Square nurses have been bargaining for the fair contract that nurses and patients deserve. At the table, nurses’ chief priorities are enforceable safe staffing language and improved protections against workplace violence, but management has proposed givebacks on both items. In response, nurses held this informational picket to show management that they will not back down from a fight, especially when nurse and patient safety are at stake! Keep up the great work, Gracie Square nurses!

NYSNA Members Gather for Bronx-Hudson Valley Interregional Meeting

On Tuesday, Oct. 6, nearly 100 NYSNA members from the Bronx, Westchester and the Hudson Valley gathered for an interregional meeting. Nurses gave updates on ongoing contract campaigns at Westchester Medical Center and Montefiore New Rochelle, Mount Vernon and Nyack hospitals, where staffing, ratio enforcement, wage parity and retiree health are hot topics. Montefiore Bronx and BronxCare nurses reflected on the struggle and gains from the strike and contract settlements — and the hard work of enforcing our agreements that begins as soon as the ink dries. Attendees reviewed this year’s proposed resolutions and are looking forward to the NYSNA Convention in a few short weeks!

NYSNA Celebrates National Midwifery and National Pediatric Nurses Weeks

This week, NYSNA celebrates the vital work of the midwives and pediatric nurses who work hard to care for our patients and their families from birth through childhood. Thank you for your dedication to the health and well-being of our pregnant patients and young people this week and every week of the year!

NYSNA Members Hit the Streets and Phones to Elect Labor and Healthcare Champions

Over the weekend, Team NYSNA joined our union siblings in the North Country, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, Western New York and New York City to get out the vote for the coming general election. As the communities we serve begin to see the impacts of the cuts to federal healthcare funding, it’s more important than ever that NYSNA members join in the fight to elect nurse champions who will stand with us in the fight for safe staffing, fair contracts and healthcare justice.

Sign up here for a get out the vote canvass or a phone bank near you, and don’t forget to make a plan to vote!

Fight for Our Democracy!

As we get closer to the general election, the efforts to stop our votes from counting and to undermine our free and fair elections are becoming increasingly serious by the day. To counteract these efforts and protect the coming election, NYSNA is joining with our labor and community allies to make sure that every voter is able to cast a vote without fear of intimidation and to ensure that every vote is counted. Join us at one of the upcoming events to take action and defend our democracy:

• Our Voice, Our Vote, Protect Our Democracy Labor Rally
  Oct. 15 at 3 p.m. at the Farley Post Office
  RSVP to join union members from across NYC rallying to defend our democracy and the power of working people.

• No Kings! Nationwide Day of Action
  Oct. 17
  No Kings are hosting actions across the country to make clear that in this country power belongs to the people! Click here to find an action near you.

• Democracy Protection March
  Nov. 7 – Save the Date!
  Join NYSNA and our allies for a mass march in defense of our democracy should there be any attempts to go against the will of the people in this election. Stay tuned for more information on the timing and location of actions as we get closer to this date!

Register for the 2026 NYSNA Convention

Our 2026 NYSNA Convention is just over two weeks away. If you haven’t registered, now is the time. Due to high demand and possible space limitations for the event, preregistration is required to guarantee Convention attendance. Register and reserve your hotel room by this coming Monday, Oct. 12. Register here and reserve your hotel room here.

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.

Please note: Last week, there was an error on the Hilton’s part and some members received a message saying that registration was closed. If you received that message, please go back to the site to book your room.

Fall 2026 Labor Education Trainings  — 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. Please join us for Part 4 on Wednesday, Oct. 14 even if you missed the previous parts! The Member Leader Training has long been a resource for nurses who want to build union power by advocating for their patients and themselves. This is an accredited training; each part is 3.0 CHs/0.3 CEUs. Please be in touch with us directly at [email protected] to schedule an MLT in your facility.

On Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 8 p.m., join members from across the state for Winning an Issue on Your Unit through a Campaign of Escalating Actions and learn how we can use some of the same organizing strategies we use in our biggest fights — contract campaigns or fights against closures — to make tangible, positive changes in day-to-day working conditions on our own units. 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. 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.

Health & Safety Update: Measles Outbreaks Expand Throughout United States

Measles outbreaks are expanding throughout the country, including in New York state. Outbreaks typically start in communities with low vaccination rates. Most at risk are infants under the age of 6 months, the elderly, those with compromised immune systems, those who are pregnant and the unvaccinated. In a current large outbreak in Pennsylvania, five people have died of measles-related complications so far. Check out this resource from NYSNA’s Occupational Health and Safety Team to learn more about measures to control measles transmission in healthcare facilities.

For more information, contact your local department of health, the New York State Department of Health or NYSNA’s Occupational Health and Safety Representatives at [email protected].

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. To join the committee, contact NYSNA's Occupational Health and Safety Representatives at [email protected].

For more resources on emergency preparedness, check out NYSNA’s new resource hub for information about wildfire smoke conditions, inclement weather 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.

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.

  • 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