Position Statement: On the COVID-19 Vaccine, July 21, 2021

The intent of this updated position statement is to emphasize that the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) supports the recommendation that everyone be vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 in a just, fair, and equitable manner.

New York State Nurses Association Position Statement on CDC Mask Guidance for Vaccinated Persons

The intent of this position statement is to emphasize that the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) continues to strongly support a mandatory mask policy, particularly in settings where physical distancing cannot be achieved and an individual cannot determine who has been fully vaccinated.

Position Statement: On COVID-19 Liability Protection Rollback

The intent of this position statement is to assert that since hospital, nursing home, and care giver immunity provisions for the care of patients with COVID-19 have been repealed as of April 6, 2021, and since the usual and customary standard of care for patients has now been restored, hospitals and nursing homes must reinstate all pre-pandemic and contractual standards of orientation, staff development training, floating, and RN competency assessment level criterion and practices that are required to care for all patients, including COVID-19 patients.

Position Statement: On Infection Control Protocols and the Shortage of Respirators and Personal Protective Equipment for Health Care Personnel and First Responders During the COVID-19 Pandemic

In the face of the declaration of a global pandemic and the declaration of a state of emergency in the U.S. and New York to fight the current COVID-19 outbreak, it is imperative that we maintain and expand the health care infrastructure necessary to diagnose and treat the millions of Americans who are likely to be infected and the hundreds of thousands who will require hospitalization and other treatment.

Position Statement: On Gun Violence

The intent of this position statement is to describe the impact of gun violence on society and to declare nurses’ role as advocates to minimize the adverse effects. Due to the tremendous rise in the incidence of active shooter incidents, NYSNA has a separate position statement on active shooter incidents specifically.

Position Statement: On Sexual Harassment

The intent of this position statement is to condemn sexual harassment in the workplace and to inform nurses of their rights and ethical obligations in relation to sexual harassment complaints.

Position Statement: On Workplace Violence

The intent of this position statement is to promote violence prevention in the health care setting using consolidated approaches from employers, victims, and the political system.

POSITION STATEMENT ON THE ROLE OF THE REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL NURSE IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE/INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

The intent of this position statement is to acknowledge domestic violence as a major public health issue and affirm the...

Position Statement: On the Role of the Registered Professional Nurse in Emergency Preparedness for all Hazards

The intent of this position statement is to examine the role and responsibilities of the Registered Professional Nurse in planning and preparing for current and emerging threats to the public’s health.

POSITION STATEMENT ON CREDENTIALING AND PRACTICE OF ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES

The intent of this position statement is to assert the importance of the credentialing process to demonstrate competence of the Advanced Practice Registered professional nurse (APN) while eliminating the burden that second licensure would impose.

POSITION STATEMENT ON THE USE OF COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES IN THE PRACTICE OF NURSING

The intent of this position statement is to provide clarification about the role of the registered nurse (RN) in the use of complementary and alternative therapies (CAT).

Position Statement: Mandatory Influenza Immunization of Healthcare Workers

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that, on average, approximately 36,000 people die in the U.S. each year from influenza. Most at risk are the very young, the elderly and those with underlying health conditions. The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) supports the CDC’s recommendation that everyone over the age of six months be immunized against seasonal influenza. NYSNA also supports recommendations that nurses and other health care providers should be immunized for seasonal influenza to protect themselves and vulnerable members of the community. However, NYSNA does not support mandatory immunization as a condition of employment.

Position Statement: On Nurses’ Rights

It is the position of the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) that there are inalienable rights afforded to all nurses that ensure their right to equality in interdisciplinary practice, right of self-determination, right to advocacy, and to respect from interdisciplinary colleagues and employers. As a statement of professional rights, these privileges offer nurses support while navigating workplace issues.

POSITION STATEMENT ON SELF-CARE FOR THE PROFESSIONAL NURSE

The intent of this position statement is to promote self-care activities for the Registered Professional nurse and to emphasize the Nurses Code of Ethics provision five (5) that states “The nurse owes the same duties to self as to others, including the responsibility to preserve . . [personal] safety, to maintain competence, and to continue personal and professional growth” (ANA, 2015).

POSITION STATEMENT ON TELEHEALTH AND TELEMEDICINE

The purpose of this position statement is to offer recommendations for the appropriate practice and use of telemedicine in New York State by licensed health care practitioners.

Position Statement on Floating

The intent of this position statement is to reaffirm the nursing profession’s responsibility to monitor staffing effectiveness for the protection of the public from unsafe and ineffective nursing practice, especially when floating is used by management as a means to effectuate staffing levels.

Position Statement: On Medical Marijuana

The intent of this position statement is to acknowledge the role of nurses in advocating for patient access to marijuana for medical purposes and in facilitating the legislation that legalizes medical marijuana for symptoms that are uncontrolled by conventional therapies.

POSITION STATEMENT ON THE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY OF THE REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL NURSE IN ABORTION PROCEDURES

The intent for the development in 1988 of the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) Position Statement on Abortion was in response to the increasing legislative activity concerning abortion law, as well as requests from the professional nursing community with regard to their rights and responsibilities and the rights of their patients pertaining to the issue of abortion. NYSNA has, through the Council on Ethics and Human Rights and its Nursing Education and Practice Department, continued to study and research the issues surrounding abortion and reaffirms the position of the rights of women as patients and nurses.

Position Statements