On March 5, almost 600 members met with nearly 150 state legislators to raise our voice for safe staffing and urge legislators to support nurses and patients’ legislative priorities! Nurses were also joined by 90 nursing students from SUNY Orange who were grateful to experience the power of being a part of the union for the day.

NYSNA President Nancy Hagans, RN, BSN, CCRN; NYSNA First Vice President Judith Cutchin, RN, DNP; board members from across the state; and Executive Director Pat Kane, RN, CNORe spoke out at a mid-day press conference. President Hagans said, “Our patients across New York state need and deserve quality care. It’s time Albany to listen to nurses and invest in quality care for all New Yorkers.”

NYSNA nurses were also joined by over 30 legislators and our allies at 1199SEIU to call for a state budget that prioritizes the health of all New Yorkers. Our three nurse champions in the Assembly — Aileen Gunther, Karines Reyes and Phara Souffrant Forrest — joined us to amplify our demands!

Check out some of the press coverage from Lobby Day: CBS6, Spectrum, the Albany Times Union, City & State, and NBC 13.

NYSNA’s lobby day already made a difference. Policymakers proposed restoring Medicaid cuts, protecting nurse scope of practice, and fixing the tier 6 pension.

Thank you to all our members who joined us for this powerful day of advocacy. NYSNA will continue to closely watch and make our voices heard. Nurses are already gearing up to be back in May for a multi-union lobby day.