| | A Weekly Update for NYSNA Members | June 27, 2025 | |  | | | Celebrate Filipino Day Parade and Pride With NYSNA! This Sunday, June 29, NYSNA nurses are celebrating Filipino culture and heritage in Albany at the Filipino Day Grand Parade. Join us by registering here. NYSNA members are also excited to dance and march in New York City Pride in Manhattan to close out Pride month! Join us by registering here. | | | | NYSNA Champions Win Big on Election Day! NYSNA had strong victories in this week’s primary elections for key local offices throughout the state. Team NYSNA knocked on over 10,000 doors and made over 40,000 calls urging union members to vote for labor champions. We participated in Get Out the Vote (GOTV) activities, including phone banking and canvassing. We are thrilled to see that many of our NYSNA-endorsed healthcare champions won, and we look forward to working together to create a better New York for all. The winners include: - Jumaane Williams, NYC public advocate
- Vanessa Gibson, Bronx Borough president
- Antonio Reynoso, Brooklyn Borough president
- Sean Ryan, Buffalo Mayor
- Jenn Puja, Westchester County Legislature District 5
- Kristofer Munn, Dutchess County Legislature District 20
- Pierina Sanchez, New York City Council, District 14
- Alexa Aviles, New York City Council, District 38
- Shahana Hanif, New York City Council, District 39
- Mercedes Narcisse, New York City Council, District 46
Our work isn’t over. Stay tuned for more information on our general election endorsements and GOTV initiatives. | | | |  | RUMC Nurses Rally With Union Siblings to Stop the Cuts! On Monday, June 23, NYSNA nurses at Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC) joined healthcare workers from 1199/SEIU to rally in a day of action to tell Congress to stop Medicaid Cuts! For hospitals like RUMC, which receives about one-third of its funding from Medicaid, the result could be devastating for workers, patients and the community. The Staten Island Advance covered the rally and impact of the cuts. Nurses across New York are continuing to speak out against these devastating cuts to ensure the bill does not make it through the Senate and to protect our patients from losing access to the healthcare they deserve. Representative Nicole Malliotakis, who represents RUMC, was one of the deciding votes on the House version of the bill, which passed narrowly last month. Next Tuesday, July 1, join NYSNA and National Nurses United (NNU) at 11 a.m. as we speak out outside of Malliotakis’ district office on Staten Island to demand she fund care, not billionaires. RSVP today. | | | | NYSNA Speaks at AFL-CIO Town Hall on Medicaid Cuts On Wednesday, June 25, NYSNA Treasurer Margaret Franks, RN, BSN, spoke out against Medicaid cuts on a virtual town hall that the New York State AFL-CIO organized. Franks spoke candidly about how the cuts that Congress is considering in the federal budget reconciliation process will negatively impact healthcare workers, access to healthcare, patient outcomes and jobs. Hundreds of union members attended the call. New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento, Senator Chuck Schumer, and Representatives Pat Ryan and Nydia Velasquez were also on the call talking about how the budget bill will devastate New York and how to fight back. Join future NYS AFL-CIO-led calls starting TONIGHT for union members who want to fight back against egregious cuts to Medicaid and the social programs, agencies, and institutions that protect working people. Register here. | | | |  | H+H/Bellevue Nurses Take Member Leader Training NYSNA nurses from NYC Health+Hospitals/Bellevue took Labor Education’s Member Leader training to learn how to provide well-informed and confident representation to their colleagues when they need it. NYSNA’s leadership training series trains member leaders to build union power, advocate for their patients and make positive changes in their workplace. Nurses learned about the role’s responsibilities, how they can improve working conditions at their facility, tools for collective advocacy and engaging their community, and campaign tactics. Learn more about Member Leader trainings and how to bring one to your facility. | | | |  | NYSNA Nurses Attend Hudson Valley Interregional Meeting NYSNA nurses from HealthAlliance Hudson Valley Hospital, Garnet Catskills Hospital, Vassar Brothers Medical Center and Putnam Hospital attended the Hudson Valley Interregional on Wednesday, June 25, to celebrate their victories, build solidarity and strategize on how to fight against healthcare cuts. Margaret Franks, RN, BSN, NYSNA treasurer and Local Bargaining Unit Executive Committee member at Vassar Brothers, gave an impassioned speech on the impending cuts to Medicaid and the impact that those will have on the region and community. Nurses were encouraged to take action and call on elected officials to reject any cuts to Medicaid and the social programs that benefit working people in the Hudson Valley. | | | |  | Online Registration Now Open for the 2025 NYSNA Convention: Strength in Solidarity! Mark your calendars for the 2025 NYSNA Convention, where hundreds of NYSNA members will come together to decide our union’s direction. The 2025 convention will take place in Resorts World Catskills on Oct. 28 and 29. This year’s convention theme is “Strength in Solidarity.” Register online here, or download and complete the registration form here. Check out the NYSNA website for the most up-to-date information on the convention. Stay tuned over the coming weeks for more information! | | | | Calling All Members: Labor Ed Courses and Summer 2025 Trainings Open for Registration NYSNA’s Labor Education Department is ready to come to your facility to train members to become union leaders. Sign up for Labor Education’s Taking Control of Our Meetings with Management, and Bargaining Trainings on How to Become a Contract Action Team member, What is a Contract Campaign, Mobilizing Members & Rounding, Train the Trainer and more, taking place throughout June and July. Check out the comprehensive schedule, and click here to register. Contact labored@nysna.org with questions or to request a training in your facility. | | | | Your Rights and 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. On Tuesday, June 17, New York City Comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander was violently arrested while asking ICE agents to see a judicial warrant for an immigrant at a Manhattan immigration court. Lander was released that evening, but his unlawful arrest as well as the arrest of Newark mayor Ras Baraka last month show that ICE agents are using unlawful tactics even against elected officials. NYSNA released a statement calling on Lander’s release and condemning these ICE tactics. It is more important than ever for nurses to stay informed about their and our patients’ rights. | | | | State Legislative Victories! The 2025 New York legislative session has come to an end. Thanks to the tireless advocacy of our members, NYNSA won the following victories. Check out our website for more details of our legislative victories here. | | | | VICTORY: Judge Blocks Trump’s Efforts to Bust Federal Employee Unions In a victory for workers, a federal judge has granted a preliminary injunction after ruling that the Trump administration likely violated the law by stripping nearly 1 million federal government employees of their union rights. NNU was part of the lawsuit that unions filed on April 3 challenging President Trump’s March 27 executive order that removed collective bargaining rights from about 950,000 federal employees that the unions collectively represent. Collective bargaining rights are critical for union nurses so that we can advocate for our patients and our rights as workers. Nurses will continue to fight for our patients, our profession and workers. Read the full NNU press release here. | | | | NNU Workshop: Reevaluating Magnet Recognition and its Impacts on Nursing Practice and Professional Autonomy This popular course examines the effects of Magnet status designation on nursing practice, with a focus on how the models of care, leadership approaches, and management styles promoted by Magnet recognition impact nurses' ability to exercise independent professional judgment and advocate effectively for patients. Don’t miss out. Register for the course in June, July and August. You can register here and check out this flyer for all available dates. | | | | Sign up for New NNU Courses Free for NYSNA Members NNU is offering FREE virtual courses for NYSNA members! 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 off the first box, "Yes, I am a CNA/NNOC/NNU member." | | | | Urgent Health Advisory: Avoid Nonsterile Ultrasound Gel in Percutaneous Procedures On May 23, 2025, the New York State DOH and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene issued 2025 Health Advisory #10: Non-Sterile Ultrasound Gel Contaminated
with an Environmental Bacterium. According to the health advisory, healthcare providers should avoid nonsterile ultrasound gel in preparation for or during procedures that involve puncturing the skin. Please review the NYSNA Health Advisory in full for more details | | | | You Have until July 3 to Apply for the Secor Scholarship Fund! A scholarship opportunity is still available for nursing students, registered, and licensed practical nurses in New York. The Secor Scholarship Fund, established in 2007, is made possible by a generous bequest by long-time NYSNA member Jane Secor, Ph.D., RN. Dr. Secor stipulated that the endowment be used for furthering nursing education. Two Secor Scholarships are awarded annually: - $5,000 to a NYSNA member seeking a baccalaureate (or higher) degree in nursing.
- $5,000 to a family member of a NYSNA member seeking a first degree in nursing.
Details of the scholarship, eligibility and application forms are available on NYSNA’s website. The 2025 application deadline is July 3, 2025. | | | |  |  | 2026 Seminar at Sea Last year, NYSNA nurses sailed to Spain and Portugal while learning about resilience, emotional intelligence and how they connect to nursing. Next year, join NYSNA on an unforgettable weeklong cruise to China, South Korea and Japan set to sail in April 2026! This is an opportunity to visit beautiful countries while obtaining nursing continuing education credits and learning about the relevant and important topic of artificial intelligence in nursing practice and nursing education. Check out the informational flyer to learn about this unique and informative educational program. | | | | Journal of the New York State Nurses Association The Journal of the New York Nurses Association is currently seeking papers. 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. Check out the latest volume of the journal and read the guidelines for submission here. | | | | 2025 Nursing Education & Practice Courses 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 complete course offering, and register for the courses directly here. You must create an account and be signed into it 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, new and required and mandated courses. Learn more and register to these classes for NYSNA NPs. | | | | | | | | | | Effective Jan. 1: Prenatal Rights Under New York State Law Recent changes to New York state employment law help working parents better navigate work and family and require hospitals to better accommodate registered nurses’ medical and family needs. Effective Jan. 1, 2025, New York has become the first state in the U.S. to require paid prenatal care leave, impacting all private employers. This comes not long after the June 2024 change that requires public and private employers to provide a minimum of a 30-minute paid break for employees to pump breast milk. Learn more about these rights in our updated NYSNA fact sheet and the New York State FAQs. | | | | 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. | | | | COVID-19 Leave Fact Sheet Nurses working in New York have several options for fully paid or partially paid leave to cover work time missed due to COVID-19 infection or COVID-19 quarantine. Check out this fact sheet updated by NYSNA’s Occupational Health and Safety team to learn more about your rights under New York state law. | | | | Long COVID Guide Read NYSNA’s Long COVID Guide to help you stay informed on the diagnosis, treatment options, benefits and rights for workers with long COVID. | | | | | | | | 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 membership@nysna.org. 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, discounts on insurance plans and more! Find out more on the AFL-CIO Union Plus website. | | | | | | The Talkspace Go App July Classes Are Here The Talkspace Go app, another great resource UAP offers, is great for accessing 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 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. Learn about the benefits and resources that the UAP offers here. The June 2025 newsletter outlines the most frequently asked questions counselors hear from members seeking assistance. Check it out 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 abuse problems. Visit the SPAN website for more information or to sign up for one of its July or August classes. Check out SPAN’s Compassion Project. Wellness Wednesdays: As part of its mission to promote a healthy lifestyle, SPAN is also offering a Self-Care Series that includes free Wellness Wednesday courses. Check out the full calendar of Wellness Wednesday offerings here. | | | | | | In solidarity,
Pat Kane, RN
Executive Director | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
