NYSNA nurses throughout the state convened in New York City for the annual NYSNA Convention, which was held Oct. 23-24, 2023. Nurses enjoyed two days of education, solidarity, advocacy, and fun after an incredible year where they embodied the theme of “Leading from the Frontlines: Advocating for our patients and our profession.”
This has been the most successful year in our union’s history, as reflected in the energy of Convention.NYSNA nurses and healthcare professionals have shown our leadership and power when we work together as one union. Our groundbreaking contract victories are evidence that when we unite and fight, we win for our patients and our profession; from our historic private sector strike in January, to our contract victories in Long Island, the North Country, and Western New York, to our historic pay parity victory in New York City’s public health system. NYSNA nurses are setting a new standard for safe staffing and healthcare worker wages and benefits, inspiring healthcare workers around the country.
NYSNA President Nancy Hagans, RN, BSN, CCRN, kicked off Convention with a powerful speech and a video highlighting the union’s 2023 accomplishments. Watch the video here.
Day one of Convention was filled with education workshops where members learned about strategies to advocate for safe staffing, mental health, reduce workplace violence, reduce and prevent burnout in the workplace, build union power, and more. In a Convention workshop, nurses practiced their physical assessment skills on state-of-the-art mannequins.
We also had three incredible keynote speakers this year: New York State Attorney General Letitia James, California Nurses Association/NNOC President Cathy Kennedy, RN, and former New York City Health Commission Dr. Dave Chokshi. AG James brought members to their feet as she spoke about how she would always hold those in power accountable and stand beside NYSNA members.
Day two was filled with healthy debate and union democracy as NYSNA delegates discussed and voted on resolutions that will define the direction and priorities of our union for years to come. Read the results and language of approved resolutions.
At lunch time, we welcomed New York Relief Network (NYRN) medical mission volunteersto the stage. Several volunteers were honored with a special pin recognizing their commitment to serving some of the most vulnerable communities around the world. NYSNA also gave a warm welcome and message of solidarity to striking nurses from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ. USW Local 4-200 President Judy Danella, RN, and nurse leader Carol Tanzi, RN, spoke of the challenge of being on strike for more than 80 days and the strength they gained from joining NYSNA nurses at Convention. Missed Convention? Check out the highlights in this slideshow. And save the date for next year’s convention: Oct. 29-30, 2024 in Saratoga, Springs, NY!
