DECEMBER 2018
A NEWSLETTER FOR NYSNA RNs AT NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS
H+H Delegates and Activists Show Out at Convention! New York City’s public sector was well represented at the 2018 NYSNA Convention. Along with long-time leaders and newly elected delegates, rank and file H+H/Mayorals activists turned out on their day off to participate with their fellow nurses across the state. Sarah Dowd, RN, was attending as a delegate representing Harlem Hospital. She said: “I’m excited to take back the enthusiasm and energy of the Convention to reinvigorate the fights we’re involved in, whether it’s on our units, or for a better contract, or for safe staffing. Sometimes we get burned out on these fights, so it’s nice to be with other nurses who are also fighting for the same things.” Longtime Lincoln Hospital ER nurse, Regine Remy, RN, attended Convention for the first time, representing her facility as a delegate. She explained her role by saying, “I am here to gain knowledge by learning and seeing what my colleagues at other hospitals are doing. I will bring what I learn back to Lincoln Hospital and be a voice for those who could not attend this year.” Public sector nurses were invigorated by the rally at Central Park, where several elected officials spoke in
support of nurses and safe staffing. Janet Lewis, RN, a night nurse at Queens Hospital attended Convention on her own time. She said, “It’s important that we are in conversation with politicians. I want to let my colleagues know that these elected officials are listening. They are supporting safe staffing.” Bellevue RNs Steve Trust, RN, and Sara Artigot, RN, also attended the rally. “This is my first time as a Convention Delegate, and it’s a great experience,” said Steve Trust, RN. “It’s really educational, with all the changes going on in healthcare. I’m hoping to bring some answers back to my hospital. The nurses want updates on the greater workings of our union. We are usually so zeroed in on patient care, it’s good to take a step back and look at the big picture. NYSNA means solidarity to me. It’s all about the nurses coming together—for the nurses.” Jacobi night nurse, Sarita Jones, RN, also attended Convention on her own time, bringing along some of her colleagues. She said, “At Convention, you can’t help but get a feeling of support and love, and you’ll take it back to the floor, which is what I try to do each time I come out here. I get revitalized to get back out there and fight. Never give up!”
WE ARE NURSES, WE ARE NYSNA!
NYC H+H nurses are on the front lines in the battle for healthcare justice. We are a lifeline for “the other New York.” Because our working conditions are our patients’ treatment conditions, we are prepared to fight for a contract that upholds the dignity of both registered nurses and the communities we serve. In our first training session for the Negotiations Committee and Contract Action Teams on November 17, nurses began discussing our strategy and vision for bargaining. Nurses emphasized how deeply connected our issues around nurse retention and safe staffing are to patient care conditions our communities experience.
Bargaining for “the Other New York” Nurses have a moral, ethical, and professional responsibility to promote and advance the health of our patients and the communities we serve. Nowhere is this more true—and more challenging—than in New York City’s public sector facilities. NYSNA H+H nurses play a critical role in caring for New York’s most underserved communities, and we demonstrate a special dedication to serving those in need, regardless of ability to pay, regardless of immigration status—simply regardless.
That’s why we plan to reach out to the community like never before in this round of bargaining. Community members have a stake in the care they receive, and they should have a voice, too. The community can stand in solidarity with our calls for fair funding for public hospitals and staff. Clear your calendars on Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend, January 19-20, for our first round of coordinated community actions throughout the city. Even before that, come to the all-day Bargaining Conference on Saturday, January 5th to help us further shape our vision and bargaining priorities for “the other New York.” By uniting all NYC H+H nurses with the communities we serve, we know we can achieve a fair contract that delivers for nurses and our patients.
NYSNA is a a vehicle for nurses to fight for better working conditions and for better living conditions for the working class. It means coming together and showing solidarity with people from different backgrounds. It means fighting for a better life for nurses and patients.” - Sarah Dowd, RN, Harlem Hospital
DECEMBER 2018
Education Grant Helps Dreams Come True
A Newsletter for NYSNA RNs at NYC Health + Hospitals
two more slots still open at this time. Thirteen nurses were eligible and will be receiving grant funding for the Psychiatric Mental Health NP program, and 12 for the Adult Gerontology NP program. Kalisha Edwards, RN, of Elmhurst Hospital is looking forward to graduating with an NP in gerontology. She said, “It feels great to get this grant funding. Some people can’t afford to go back to school. Any help we can get to advance our dreams and careers is much appreciated.” For Queens Hospital’s Rohan Reid, RN, the news about this grant couldn’t have come at a better time. “Between working full-time and family, being in school is a handful, but it’s worth it,” said Rohan. “I’m so elated to get this grant! Everyone has been good to me—NYSNA, our delegates, my co-workers who have worked beside me and helped me along, and the leadership at Queens Hospital, who through mentoring me and setting an example, helped me know I wanted to become a psychiatric NP.” For many of the grant winners, advancing in their careers is an extension of their love for nursing, and an opportunity to be role models for their children.
Rohan Reid, RN and his daughter/ nurse-in-the-making
One of the great things about the nursing profession is that we are always learning. There are so many opportunities to expand our practice and advance within the profession. Tuition reimbursement through the NYSNA Tuition and Continuing Education (TCE) Fund, which is negotiated through our contract, as well as NYSNA’s discounted certification courses, are amazing resources for all NYC H+H members. This year, NYSNA secured an additional resource for our H+H members pursing higher education in nursing—the Health Workforce Retraining Program/Initiative (HWRI) grant. Dozens of nurses applied for the program, which reimburses for tuition toward a BSN degree, or a nurse practitioner degree in Psychiatric Mental Health or Adult Gerontology, completed by 2020. The grant provides up to $7,600 for 25 nurses in the RN to BSN program, and up to $13,500 for 25 nurses in one of the NP programs, dispersed on a quarterly basis after completion of each semester. Twenty-three nurses were eligible and will be receiving grant funding for the BSN grant thus far, with
“I love nursing—it’s second nature to me,” said Kalisha. “I might as well advance in the profession that I love, and be able to function at a higher level to take better care of my patients.” Rohan added, “This funding for school is going to help me role model for my daughter—it will help teach her that we never quit! I also look forward to using my education to help nurses the way I’ve been helped along the way.”
Kalisha Edwards, RN: “My children are my #1 inspiration. I am so grateful for the support and inspiration I’ve received from my fellow nurses and APRNs at Elmhurst Hospital.”
UPCOMING EVENTS
(For more information or to register, ask your NYSNA Rep or visit www.nysna.org/events)
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NYC H+H BARGAINING CONFERENCE
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MEDICAL MISSION & DISASTER RELIEF
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PHARMACOLOGY REVIEW
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MED-SURGE NURSING CERT. REVIEW
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PACU NURSING CERT. REVIEW
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MEDICAL MISSION & DISASTER RELIEF
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AMBULATORY CARE CERT. REVIEW
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MEDICAL MISSION & DISASTER RELIEF
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CRITICAL CARE CERT. REVIEW
January 5, NYC January 21-29, India February 4, NYSNA NYC Office February 14 & 15, NYSNA NYC Office March 7 & 8, NYSNA NYC Office March 27 - April 3, Guatamala April 4 & 5, NYSNA NYC Office April 23 - May 9, Brazil April 25 & 26, NYSNA NYC Office
SAVE THE DATE! H+H/Mayorals Bargaining Conference
SATURDAY, JANUARY 5
NYC H+H & MAYORAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL CHAIRS RNS: • Naomi Greene, Administration for Children’s Services • Todd Schultz, Bellevue Hospital Center • Jovana Woodley, Coler Specialty Hospital & Nursing Facility • Ray Briggs, Coney Island Hospital • Audrey Morgan, Correctional Health Services • Florence Exinor, Cumberland D & T Center • Keysha Morris, Department of Correction • Theresa Minarik, Department of Sanitation • Patricia Morris, Dr. Susan Smith McKinney Nursing & Rehab Ctr • Deborah Gatson, East NY D & T Center • Pauline Williams, Elmhurst Hospital Center • James Ambery, Fire Department • Kittie McGee, Harlem Hospital Center • Grace Lee, Gouverneur Healthcare Services • Peter Pacheco, Henry J. Carter Specialty Hosp. & Nursing Facility • Rivka Elyahu, HHC Health and Home Care • Yelena Levin, Human Resources Administration • Mary Simon, Jacobi Medical Center • Curlean Duncan, Kings County Hospital Center • Marsha Wilson, Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center • Charles Mighty, Metropolitan Hospital Center • Nicole Smith Ferguson, Morrisania D & T Center • Lynne Sanderson Burgess, Police Department • Sharon Greenaway, North Central Bronx Hospital • Lindella Artman, Queens Hospital Center • Stephen Nartey, Renaissance Healthcare Network • Kimberly Yeo, Sea View Hospital Rehabilitation Center & Home • Natalie Solomon, Segundo Ruiz Belvis D&TC • Judith Cutchin, Woodhull Medical & Mental Health Center
GET ANSWERS/STAY IN TOUCH Dental benefit questions: www.Aetna.com, 877-238-6200 Prescription benefit questions: www.optumrx.com, 888-691-0130 For all other benefits: www.ASOnet.com, 888-692-7671 NYSNA NYC Office: www.nysna.org, 212 785 0157 NYSNA Board of Directors: www.nysna.org/board-directors
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