Press Release

NNU announces new Council of Presidents for 2024-2027 term

Nurses in front of capitol with banner "National Nurses United: The national voice for direct-care RNs"

National Nurses United (NNU) celebrates its newly elected Council of Presidents for the 2024-2027 term. NNU is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the United States with nearly 225,000 members nationwide. NNU affiliates include California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, DC Nurses Association, Michigan Nurses Association, Minnesota Nurses Association, and New York State Nurses Association.

The 2024-2027 Council of Presidents is composed of four nurse leaders:

  • Jamie Brown, RN and president of Michigan Nurses Association,
  • Nancy Hagans, RN and president of New York State Nurses Association,
  • Cathy Kennedy, RN and a president of California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, and
  • Mary Turner, RN and member of Minnesota Nurses Association.

The new leaders will be seated at NNU’s 15th Anniversary Convention in September, commemorating the visionary leadership of nurses. The RN leaders will continue NNU’s strong legacy of building nurse power, including the fight for safe staffing, workplace protections, health and safety standards, Medicare for All, and building a healthy and just world for all people.

Jamie Brown, RN

“I’m thrilled to be a passionate advocate for National Nurses United as a member of the Council of Presidents. I look forward to fighting for federal laws that protect nurses and patients and to building solidarity throughout the profession. This is the time for nurses to unite, organize, and make our voices heard at the local, state, and national level so we can make an impact on the next generation of nurses."

Nancy Hagans, RN, BSN, CCRN

“As an immigrant, as a mother, as a Black woman, and as a nurse, I am so very proud to serve on the Council of Presidents. We know that nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system and our patients depend on us to advocate for them at the bedside, with our employers, and in the halls of power. That is where you will find NNU and that is why I am so excited to continue this righteous work fighting for contracts, policies, and laws that recognize frontline caregivers, address healthcare disparities, and lead to investments in our communities.”

Cathy Kennedy, RN

“I am excited to be part of a union that is such a strong advocate for nurses and patients across the country. I've been a nurse for more than 40 years and I am eager to support and educate new nurses about the importance of fighting collectively for quality care, patient safety, and safe working conditions. We need to make sure that our voices are heard wherever decisions affect patient care.”

Mary Turner, RN

“One of my greatest honors was to serve as president of the Minnesota Nurses Association in the fight to put patients before profits and protect our nursing profession. I am thankful for the opportunity to continue that work with nurses across the nation, including those looking to join our union, to put patient needs before corporate greed in our healthcare system.”


National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the United States with nearly 225,000 members nationwide. NNU affiliates include California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, DC Nurses Association, Michigan Nurses Association, Minnesota Nurses Association, and New York State Nurses Association.