Leading From the Frontlines

NYSNA nurses celebrated an incredible year at their 2023 convention

By Diana Moreno

National Nurse magazine - Oct | Nov | Dec 2023 Issue

Nurses and health care workers from throughout the state came together on Oct. 23 and 24 in New York City for two days of education, solidarity, advocacy, and fun to celebrate an incredible year that matched this year’s convention theme of “Leading from the Frontlines: Advocating for Our Patients and Our Profession.”  

This has been the most successful year in New York State Nurses Association’s history, a fact that was reflected in the convention’s energy. Throughout 2023, NYSNA nurses and health care professionals have shown their leadership and power and worked together as one union leading to groundbreaking contract victories: from the historic private-sector strike in January at Mount Sinai and Montefiore to multiple contract victories in Long Island, the North Country and Western New York, to the historic pay parity victory in New York City’s public health system. This year, NYSNA nurses and health care workers set a new standard for safe staffing and health care worker wages and benefits, inspiring health care workers around the country to fight for their rights and their patients.  

One United and Growing Voice

NYSNA President Nancy Hagans, RN kicked off the convention with a powerful speech that reflected on the past year. “Last year, I stood on this stage under the banner of One Strong Union, One United Voice,” said Hagans. “We had a mandate to take bold action — in our private sector, public sector, upstate and downstate — and to win. All of you here today, helped our union deliver on that mandate!” She continued: “It was right here at convention last year that we voted to join National Nurses United. We went from being a power of 42,000 to a power of nearly 225,000 nurses across the country! We have grown our national voice on all the issues that matter to nurses and patients. And we will continue to grow.”

NYSNA’s powerful year was also reflected in the three incredible keynote speakers at this year’s convention: New York State Attorney General Letitia James; California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee President Cathy Kennedy, RN; and former New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi. James brought members to their feet as she spoke about how she would always hold those in power accountable and stand beside NYSNA members.

Kennedy spoke about the impact NYSNA’s powerful campaign victories have had on nurses and health care workers throughout the country. She said: “You all set new standards for staffing, wages, and benefits for your nurses at those hospitals, so let me be very clear: Your victory impacted not only your members and those hospitals, but it raised the bar for nurses, health care workers across the city, the state of New York, and the entire country.”  

Chokshi reminded attendees of the cracks in the health care system that the pandemic laid bare and of the importance of fighting for universal health care for all.

Education and Democracy

In addition to the impactful keynote speeches, day one of the convention offered compelling education workshops where members learned strategies to advocate for safe staffing, mental health resources, and safe workplaces; build union power; and more. In one standout workshop, nurses had the opportunity to practice their physical assessment skills on state-of-the-art mannequins.   

Day two was filled with healthy debate and union democracy as NYSNA delegates discussed and voted on resolutions that will define the union’s direction and priorities for years to come.

Solidarity Is Our Strength

Other convention highlights included a warm welcome and message of solidarity to striking nurses from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, N.J., United Steelworkers 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 (at the time of the convention) and the strength they have gained from NYSNA’s picket line support, from collaborating with NYSNA in the historic safe staffing hearing with Sen. Bernie Sanders, and by joining NYSNA nurses at the convention.  

During a year of historic labor mobilizations that saw writers, actors, autoworkers, and health care workers go on strike to demand respect, NYSNA has led the way with historic victories that have inspired this major resurgence in the U.S. labor movement. NYSNA nurses and healthcare professionals have shown that we are leading from the frontlines!

 Diana Moreno is communications manager at New York State Nurses Association.