New York nysna takes nurses’ message to the masses, p. 5 We p.UnitedOneAreUnion,toWin6 nurse New york state editio N | september 2022
A Formidable Challenge
pm HN p, bC Flandersiaseth.dressekie@nysna.orgJones,rN,bsN, mflandersia.jones@nysna.orgmpHichelleJones,rN,msN,ANp-Cmichelle.jones@nysna.orgsoniam.Lawrence,rN,bsNsonia.lawrence@nysna.orgbennyK.mathew,rN,ms,CCrN,
We will run town halls both vir tually and, in your facility, to talk to everyone, but I wanted to put this on your radar.
I will not mince words. We are facing a challenge like no other. This will not be business as usual because what we face is unusual. We must be organized. We must be committed. And we must be positioned with the resources, insights, and relationships to win. These hospitals are too rich, too greedy, and too soulless to do the right thing. But the Board and I are not willing to settle a single con tract that doesn’t meet the needs of nurses. We look forward to being on this journey with you.
Board of directors
President Nancy Hagans, r N, bs N, CCr N nancy.hagans@nysna.org
directors at Large matt Allen, r N, bs smarie.boyle@nysna.orgmreginalt.atangan@nysna.orgrmatt.allen@nysna.orgNeginaltAtangan,rNarieboyle,rN,bsNethb.Dressekie,rN,msN,
United, the largest union of nurses in the country. NNU and NYSNA have a common history of fight ing for the same issues in different areas. They have supported nurses and nursing on a national level for years, just like we have done in New York. They have resources and influence that mirror ours, except nationally. This affiliation will give us an advantage in upcom ing work. Hospital owners have crossed state borders, and some are even international. We must be able to fight them on the same level and that means bringing our battle nationally, with NNU as our national affiliate.
We have been preparing for this moment since 2021.
Jayne L. Cammisa, r N, bs jayne.cammisa@nysna.orgN
regions and employers to go into negotiations not understanding what was at stake. Nor did we want our colleagues to underap preciate the power that comes from being united. It is this power we are harnessing now.
first Vice President
Not Business as usual
We are clear that hospital execu tives make millions, all while seek ing to give healthcare workers three percent increases, which does little in this economy. Employers cannot use COVID-19 as an excuse not to hire nurses. There is no shortage, but rather a failure on the part of hospital management to attract and retain nurses. When you see nurses leaving the profession that they love, it’s because they are tired of not being acknowledged for the critical role they play. Time is up and in this moment, the hospital owes answers and respect.
As a Board we met and debated this issue and will continue engag ing you throughout the process. With this affiliation, we will be the second largest union in NNU, which means we will be in a posi tion to influence a national agenda. Our structure and leadership will not change in New York. Our Board voted unanimously to pres ent affiliation for a yes vote at con vention and we will continue to be in touch with you leading up to and after the convention.
Continued engagement
Advocating for patients. Advancing the profession.SM
Judith Cutchin, r N, ms judith.cutchin@nysna.orgN
Nella pineda- marcon, r N, nella.pineda-marcon@nysna.orgbC
We are Uniting to Win
n August 18, I joined hundreds of NYSNA nurses at the Sheraton Hotel in Times Square to kick off our “We Love Nurses” contract campaign. NYSNA nurses traveled from far and near to participate in the event. As we ral lied, chanted, and phoned hospital executives and lobbyists, we were mindful of the many sacrifices nurses have made not only over the past few years, but throughout our careers. It is past time for our profession to receive the respect we deserve. Respect looks like nurses receiving the pay, benefits, retire ment and safety and security that we need. To be clear, we are not just fighting for these things for some parts of the state, but for all of us. For instance, upstate and public-sector nurses make $14,000 less than other colleagues. This gap must be You’veclosed.heard me say it before and I’ll say it again; there is so much on the line. In a few months, over 30,000 nurses will go to 32 tables across the state and bargain to improve working conditions, staffing levels, and compensation. We have been preparing for this moment since 2021. Since last fall, we have held statewide bargaining conferences and other meetings to discuss best practices, develop campaign plans and develop strate gies for reaching our members. We did not want nurses from different
campaignUnitedtheCrowdAddressHagantheDuring“OneUnion,toWin”kickoff
second Vice President
regional d irectors
secretary
marion enright, r marion.enright@nysna.orgN
O
We have many fights ahead, and we will take them on with determi nation and resolve.
CeN, sCr N Jeanari.moma@nysna.orgAribenny.mathew@nysna.orgmoma,rN,msAericapadgett,rNjean.padgett@nysna.org
By Nancy Hagans, RN, BSN, CCRN NYSNA President
s outheastern Vacant s outhern Aretha m organ, r aretha.morgan@nysna.orgN Central Catherine Dawson,rN,CNOr catherine.dawson@nysna.orgmsN Lower Hudson/NJ margaret Franks, r N Western steven bailey, r steven.bailey@nysna.orgN eastern b ill s chneider, r N, CCr N bill.schneider @nysna.org editor Jennifer r . Farmer e xecutive editor pat Kane, r N, CNO r e xecutive Director editorial offices located at: 131 W 33rd st., New York, NY 10001 phone: 212-785-0157 email: Website:communications@nysna.orgwww.nysna.orgsubscriptionrate:$33peryearIssN(print)1934-7588/IssN(Online)1934-7596©2022,Allrightsreserved
treasurer
Many of you know that we are up against a well-organized machine. Hospital management has been planning just like us. They have been spending big bucks buy ing ads, celebrities, and of course, politicians. They are spending their money now in hopes they won’t have to surrender it later. But we will not be denied or deterred.
2 New York Nurse september 2022
To position us for long-term success, we will pursue a strategic affiliation with the National Nurses
NYsNA president Nancy
New York Nurse 3 september 2022
We are tired of disrespect, denial and debasement. We will not toler ate substandard care; not for us, not for our profession, not for our patients and not for our communi ties. We are ready to fight for that which our patients, our communi ties and our families deserve.
We are ready
s executive director of NYSNA, I’m often asked by my peers, ‘are we ready?’ They are inquiring about wheth er we are ready for bargaining given 32 NYSNA contracts covering over 30,000 members are expiring by the end of the year or in early 2023.
“We Love NY Nurses” is our public-facing campaign that will gather support from our patients and communities, reflecting unity and support for our members. Our members and their messages will reach more than 4 million people. Our members are the frontline heroes and now it’s time to treat them with respect with fair con tracts for all.
We are calling the question on management. Will they continue on a path of prioritizing profits over patients? Will they continue to fabricate a lie that short staffing is out of their control? Will they continue to give lip service to valu ing healthcare professionals while denying us respect and dignity on the job? While some things are out of our control, exposing unethical employers is not one of them.
Regardless of the challenge, nurses consistently rise to the occasion. Regardless of what we face, we dig deep and find a way to thrive. The question is not, ‘are nurses ready.’ It is, ‘is management ready?’ Are they ready to do right by nurses and healthcare professionals? Are they ready to tell the truth about record profits? Are they ready to prioritize patients and caregivers? Are they ready to match their rhet oric with the reality of what nurses and healthcare professionals face?
A
will they Continue on This Path?
We will not allow management to push us aside, stall progress and disregard the role nurses and healthcare professionals play in the healthcare system. The entire healthcare system depends on us. They know it and we do too.
For the first time in NYSNA’s his tory, we are launching a paid media campaign that will blanket New York City and the boroughs. We have secured more than 459 static and digital as well as motion-based ads across New York, and com ing into Manhattan, - including Staten Island ferries, the George Washington Bridge, all subways to and from Queens, Brooklyn and The Bronx and Manhattan.
enough is enough
My response is as resolute as it is defiant; ‘nurses are always ready.’
In many cases, management is manipulative and cunning. One of the things they attempt to do is to convince nurses and healthcare workers that we are powerless. We are not. They like to pretend that they have no control over the
NYsNA Nurses eager to Go to the Bargaining Table
Our labor, our service, and our care matters we make the difference and save lives every hour of every day.
NYsNA nurses kick off One Union, United to Win campaign.
When we head to the bargaining table, we are not just negotiating for what nurses and healthcare professionals deserve. We are also pulling back the curtain and expos ing the lies and false narratives that management promulgates. We are not just advocating for the health care our patients and communities deserve. We are also shining a light on the secrets of the healthcare sys tem. For instance, while manage ment harps on a nursing shortage, the truth is that this is a manufac tured crisis they created. By harp ing on a nursing shortage, health systems have a convenient means of evading accountability in service of maintaining their safe and comfortable position.
myriad issue nurses face. They do. They like to develop policies and practices that intimidate and fright en persons in their employ. We are unafraid. We are brave. We are heroic. And we are tired of begging for basics such as decent working conditions, good pay and benefits, and safety and security on the job.
and save lives every hour of every day. We will not allow our profes sion and our patients to be exploit ed for profits.
Proper Perspective
We are ready.
By Pat Kane, RN NYSNA Executive Director
So yes, I say, we are ready and have never been more ready. Our labor, our service, and our care matters we make the difference
Dear NYSNA Convention Delegate, Greetings from your NYSNA Board of Directors! We want to remind you that the 2022 Convention is being held on October 19th and 20th at the Resorts World Catskills Casino in Monticello, NY. NYSNA has sent letters to all employers requesting your release to attend this conference. Unfortunately, we are faced with some of the same challenges as last year due to COVID-19, and you will receive health and safety guidance from our Meeting and Convention Planning Team soon.
The next step is to register for the Convention! You can use the registration form, or you can register here- https://www.tfaforms.com/4997475 . You must complete either form and return it to be officially registered to attend the conference. The registration form also contains the general agenda for the Convention as well as hotel information. Learn more here:Thewww.nysna.org/Convention2022biggestagendaitemwillbevoting on NYSNA’s affiliation with National Nurses United (NNU). We believe that this affiliation will increase our power to advocate for our patients, make our union stronger, and help us organize thousands more NY RNs. That is why we voted unanimously to endorse this affiliation. While we think it is the right move for our Union, ultimately the decision on whether NYSNA affiliates with the NNU is not up to us. As a democratic, member driven union, this decision can only be made by you, the Convention Delegates.
Under the affiliation agreement, the NNU will add ongoing resources in vital areas includ ing, but not limited to: collective bargaining, organizing, policy and professional issues, research, communications, occupational safety and health, professional development, and political and legislative mobilization. Through partnering with NNU, we offer much and we gain much: resources, respect, autonomy, and a strong voice in the national arena.
August 31, 2022
Affiliation isn’t a decision that we take lightly. NYSNA is the preeminent union of registered nurses and healthcare professionals in New York State. We have an outstanding reputation in our tireless fight for patient-centered care and making nurses’ voices heard and respected. Our top priorities in this affiliation are safeguarding that heritage and furthering that mission by increasing our power.
4 New York Nurse september 2022
You may be asking: What will change for us with this affiliation? The only changes we foresee will be for the better. We’ll have more resources, more reach, and more opportunity to build the national movement of RNs we envision. But we will stay who we are, free to make our own decisions and operate as we wish. What’s more, if we are ever dissatisfied with the affiliation, we can end it without any further obligation.
We know there are questions about dues that we want to address. For starters, NYSNA pays NNU dues not the members individually and NNU will pay dues to the national AFL-CIO on our behalf. Secondly, there will be no increase in NYSNA membership dues or reduction in services or staff if we affiliate. Any changes to our dues structure must be presented to and approved by our convention delegates and then voted on by the entire membership. There are no plans to do that.
CONtINUeD ON pAge 6
One strong, united voice for nurses and patients
forimportantMessageNYsNaMembers
In NNU we’ve found a partner that respects our autonomy, shares our goals, and appreci ates the achievements, diversity, and energy of our NYSNA members. With more than 175,000 members nationwide, NNU is the largest union of registered nurses in U.S. history. NNU Affiliates collectively represent Registered Nurses in 22 states and the District of Columbia.Asaunion of nurses, NNU shares the high professional standards that we hold ourselves to. NNU has a strong history of organizing RNs, championing strong contracts, fighting for safe staffing and quality health care just like us. With this partnership, we will enhance our organizing, bargaining, and patient advocacy.
l 18 hand sanitizer stations at pharmacies across the city
NYsNA Nurses Take message Directly to New Yorkers with massive statewide Ad Campaign
l Safe staffing
l Quality, affordable healthcare for all
N
l 8 Large Bulletins including one “spectacular”
In a few months, over 30,000 nurses will go to 32 tables across New York state and bargain to improve working conditions, staffing levels, and compensation.
The CA mPAiGN
The effort includes a massive paid media campaign which will reach more than 4 million people.
On August 18, NYSNA members officially launched a “We Love NY Nurses” campaign. The campaign centers the thousands of New York nurses with contracts expiring on December 31. It is meant to sup port nurses and healthcare profes sionals as they negotiate for:
l Dignity in retirement
We want to put a face on nurs ing, so we arranged a photoshoot with 25 NYSNA members from all hospitals that are bargaining as well as Board of Directors and President Nancy Hagans. The people who care for us at the bedside have lives and their lives and their work matter.
l 40 different point of care offices (doctor offices, urgent cares, clinics)
ating more than 15 million impres sions per week. The ads will run between September 5 and Oct. 30, 2022, and include more than 450 outdoor ads across New York, with more than 200 in Manhattan alone.
The effort includes a massive paid media component which will take the message of our members to more than 4 million people, gener
l 75 Urban Panels in Manhattan (above ground/as they go down the stairs to the subway
New York Nurse 5 september 2022
l 50 Bus Tails on Staten Island
l 3 billboards on Staten Island Ferry, to and from Manhattan
widespread Coverage
urses and greateryearsspentprofessionalshealthcarehavethepastfewsacrificingforthegood.Nurses
have put their and their families’ lives on the line to ensure our com munities, including patients, had what they needed during a devas tatingNow,pandemic.NYSNA members are preparing to go to bat, once again, for patients and our communities.
l Improved patient care
l Fair wages
We also secured static and digital as well as motion-based bulle tins around hospitals that are in NYC bargaining as well as highvisibility areas coming into the city, including: Staten Island ferries, The George Washington Bridge, all subways to and from Queens, Brooklyn and The Bronx and Manhattan.Ourmember’s message will be displayed in the following locations:
l 200 Subway boards citywide coverage skewed to stations near hospitals and high traffic
The health care landscape in our country is changing rapidly. Our union could keep on “going it alone” and achieving great things. But we and our patients have so much to gain from joining forces with the NNU. Together, we can advocate even more powerfully for high professional and contractual standards, quality patient care, and safe working conditions. Together, we can bring so many more nurses into our movement and strengthen our voice at every level, from the bedside to the halls of Congress.
Join us at the Convention as we vote on our future together!
Board of
Huge “We Love NY Nurses” public awareness campaign launched to support nurses
NYSNA U Nite S
important message for NYsNA members
FrOm pAge 4
6 New York Nurse september 2022
In PresidentSolidarity,Nancy Hagans and the NYSNA Directors
Thank you for all you do to make NYSNA the strong union it is, and for the endless dedication you bring to our profession. We believe that this affiliation will be a wonderful partnership. We can stand shoulder to shoulder with our fellow RNs and healthcare professionals in the NNU, ready for the chal lenges and opportunities the coming years will bring. Our unity is our strength.
ens of thousands of nurses and healthcare profes sionals who are members of the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) recently launched the “We Love NY Nurses” contract campaigns at more than 32 healthcare facilities this fall. Many of the NYSNA nurs es gathered outside The Sheraton Hotel in Times Square holding ban ners, chanting and rallying in sup port of safe staffing, better working conditions and security during the kickoff. Others made phone calls to hospital executives and lobbyists as part of the August 18 day of action.
munity, and political allies and are ready to do whatever it takes to win fair contracts that improve patient care, strengthen the nursing workforce, and uplift communities.
“NYSNA nurses are physically tired, and we are especially tired of our employers using the pandemic as an excuse for why our working conditions and our patients’ care
united to win
Thousands of Nurses with union Contracts expiring by early 2023 Launched Campaign to improve Patient Care, strengthen the Nursing workforce, and uplift Communities
t
This is the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pan demic that so many nurses will be bargaining for their profession and their patients. Nurses are coming together like never before because they are exhausted and demanding change from New York’s hospitals. They are uniting with labor, com
The NYSNA members have contracts expiring by the end of the year or in early 2023. Twelve hospitals in New York City, includ ing some of the biggest private hospitals such as Montefiore, Mt. Sinai, and NY-Presbyterian have contracts expiring on December 31.
They are takesandcommunity,withunitinglabor,andpoliticalalliesarereadytodowhateverittowinfaircontracts
conditions cannot be improved,” said NYSNA President Nancy Hagans, RN, CCRN, BSN. “We are putting New York’s hospitals on notice that we are united as one union public and private, upstate and downstate and ready to do whatever it takes to protect and win respect for nurses and our patients.”
Affiliation comes down to one simple belief: Both unions will be stronger together, and our profession and the communities we serve will be better for it.
CONtINUeD
We are launching educational meetings and town halls across the state to educate every convention delegate and member on this vote. Please join us at our next meeting! Here is a landing page with all dates, times, and locations: https://bit.ly/one-united-union.
Text of the Proposal:
Nella Pineda-marcon, rN, NYsNA secretary october 19-20 | resorts world Catskills, monticello, NY
f) nurses represented in collective bargaining who are employed on a per diem or part-time basis; and
Position of the NYSNA Board
o
the Convention is open to all NYsNA members in good standing. to register, go to Abnysna.org/2022-nysna-conventionhttps://www.OArDOFDIreCtOrs’prOpOseDmeNDmeNttONYsNA’sbYLAWs
g) nurses jointly represented in collective bargaining by NYsNA and another labor organization, provided that the board of Directors may establish the discounted rate for this category based on an agreement negotiated with the other labor organization.
fficial call to convention 2022 Convention of the New York state Nurses Association
With respect to subsection f, in the 2021 Convention, the delegates adopted a resolution that asked the board of Directors to consider a reduced dues structure for per diem nurses. the bylaws Committee considered this issue and recommended an investigation into the feasibility of adopting a policy that would establish the number of weekly hours worked to qualify for the per diem discount, a viable process for confirming the weekly hours worked by each per diem nurse, and a mechanism for collecting reduced dues through check off.
e) Lifetime members;
in upstate New York one where the nurses are represented by NYsNA and the other where the nurses are represented by another union that are scheduled to be consolidated later this year. the NYsNA board would like the flexibility to negotiate joint representation, with reduced dues for the NYsNA nurses, if it deems it appropriate to do so. Currently, the bylaws do not provide this flexibility.
New York Nurse 7 september 2022 NYSNA coN ve N tioN
Amend Article II, section 1( b )(3) of NYsNA’s bylaws by adding the following new subsections f and g: ( 3) members who qualify for the following categories may pay reduced dues as established by the a)Convention:Nursesnot represented for collective bargaining by this b)association;Nursesage 62 and older who are retired and earning not more than what social security allows; c) Unemployed nurses;
Background:
the board, in conjunction with NYsNA staff, conducted the investigation. It found that the number of hours that per diem nurses work often varies weekly, with some working full-time hours on particular weeks. Additionally, the number of hours a nurse must work to be considered per diem varies greatly in our different hospitals Further, the Union does not receive information from our employers on the number of hours that per diem nurses work each week, and there is no mechanism to collect the correct amount of dues through monthly dues check-off from nurses whose hours fluctuate on a weekly or monthly basis.
With respect to subsection g, there currently are two facilities
the board recommends approval of this amendment. With respect to subsection f, although it is not feasible to establish a separate dues rate for per diem nurses, these nurses currently pay the part-time dues rate. the bylaws, however, do not provide for a reduced rate for per diem and part-time nurses represented in collective bargaining. Accordingly, the board believes that the bylaws should codify the right of per diem and part-time nurses represented in collective bargaining to pay a reduced dues rate. With respect to subsection g, the board believes that NYsNA needs the flexibility to consider negotiating joint representation in appropriate circumstances. because charging the full dues might not be fair or appropriate in these circumstances, the board believes that the bylaws should be amended to address this.
d) Nurses who are totally and permanently disabled;
will continue as an autonomous labor union but with the resources, support and power that an affiliation with NNU will bring.
structural
8 New York Nurse september 2022 boA rd directorofS
Q: would NYsNA have a place in the NNu Leadership structure?
Q: how will the affiliation affect our organizing activities?
Q: will this new financial obligation result in a dues increase?
A: if either NYsNA or NNu wants to end the affiliation, it may terminate it on 14-days’ notice. if NYsNA decides to do this, we will have no further fi nancial or other obligations to NNu.
A: NNU has pledged to provide staff and other support to us in collective bargain ing. Given the major negotiations we are facing this year, NNu’s support and the power of having a national union behind us will be invaluable. whether we are in a contract campaign or on strike, they will have our back !
A: Under NYsNA’s bylaws, the affiliation is not effective until approved by the NYsNA Convention, which is meeting in October.
Board of Directors motioned to recommend the Bylaw changes to the Convention Delegates addressing adding additional cat egories of members that qualify for reduced dues rates.
Q: how will the affiliation help us in collective bargaining?
Q: why National Nurses united, AFLCio (“NNu”)?
Board of Directors motioned and held roll call unanimously approv ing Margaret Franks to fill to seat vacancy for the Lower Hudson/ NJ region 6 seat.
the Vice presidents, will be eligible to serve on NNU committees, and work ing groups. then, prior to the NNU Convention in 2024, NYsNA members will elect our NNU Convention dele gates, be eligible to run for NNU Office and elect the NNU National Officers.
Board of Directors motioned to recommend NYSNA Executive Director to follow up with completing the process with Amalgamated Bank to refinance the mortgage for the New York City office.
Q: After the affiliation, will NYsNA have the same degree of autonomy that it has now?
Q: But what if the Committee is unable to resolve our differences?
A: In the affiliation agreement, NNU agreed to provide NYsNA with ad ditional staff and resources to aid us in our organizing efforts. We will have exclusive jurisdiction to organize and represent nurses in New York and New Jersey (other than VA nurses, which NNU already represents). NNU will refer to us any organizing leads from these states and will assist us if we are facing raids from other unions.
Q: will NYsNA have meetings before Convention about the proposal to affili ate with NNu ? where can i get more information?
A: NNU is a powerful, 175,000 mem ber, national nurses union that fights for staff nurses and patients at the bargain ing table, in the legislature, and in the streets. An affiliation with NNU would provide us with additional resources to defend and advance our members’ in terests, advocate for nurses and patients on public policy and nursing practice issues, address health and safety issues, and fight for quality healthcare for all. Additionally, because the NNU is an affiliate of the AFL-CIO, our affiliation with NNU would officially bring us into the house of labor.
Q: is an affiliation the same as a merger?
Q: what happens if a dispute arises between NNu and NYsNA?
dispute resolution, termination, and effective date
National Nurses united, AFL-Cio Affiliation – FAQ’s
A: since may, 2012, NYsNA has evolved into a powerful labor union led by staff nurses. However, the board believes that affiliating with a national union will add resources and power that will make us stronger, better able to represent our members, and better able to face off against the hospitals where our members work, many of which are part of national chains. And, as ex plained below, NYsNA will maintain full autonomy. This is a win-win affiliation for NYsNA nurses.
Q: when will the affiliation become effective?
Board of Directors motioned to recommend re-establishing a cal endar of community events for the organization by creating a team to investigate; adding events to a com munity calendar with at least a 4week lead and extending long term.
financial issues
Board JunerBoardDirectorsofActioneport22nd,2022
A: Absolutely. shortly after the affiliation is effective, the NYsNA board will be able to appoint four Vice presidents to the NNU executive Council until the next election. One of these Vice presidents will be eligible to be appointed to the NNU executive Committee. NYsNA members, including
A: ABsoLuTeLY NoT! When two unions enter into a merger agreement, they generally cease to exist as sepa rate entities and are replaced by a third entity that the merging unions create. In an affiliation, both unions continue to exist under their current structure. that is what will happen here: NYsNA
A: Like all national unions, NNU requires its Affiliates to pay a per capita charge for each member. While the current per capita is $89.49 per member, NNU agreed that we won’t have to pay the full freight for several years. beginning in January, 2023, we only will pay 66.66% of the per capita. In January, 2024, we will pay 83.325% of the per capita. beginning in January, 2025, we will pay the full per capita.
A: We have agreed to each appoint two members to a Dispute resolution Committee that will attempt to work through any problems that arise.
A: Yes. Visit bit.ly/one-united-union
What the affiliation Means
Board of Directors motioned to recommend accepting an invita tion for NYSNA to present at and send 3 delegates to the Cuba Nursing Conference taking place November 7- 9th, 2022.
Q: what is the cost of becoming and remaining a NNu Affiliate?
A: NO. We have conducted a thorough financial analysis and concluded that NYsNA will be able to pay the per capita without a dues increase or cuts in services and without affecting our financial stability. Furthermore, any changes to our dues structure must be presented to and approved by our con vention delegates and then voted on by the entire membership. there are no plans to do that.
Q: why did the NYsNA Board of Directors decide to recommend to the Convention that NYsNA affiliate with a national union?
A: Yes ! Under the affiliation agree ment, NYsNA will continue to retain full autonomy and control over all its governance, operations, and activities collective bargaining, finances, staff and service providers, internal affairs, struc ture and governance, organizing, benefit plans, and affiliated entities such as our political action committee and NYrN.
A: NNU, like many national unions, has state Affiliates that are the equivalent of local unions. NNU’s Affiliates include the California Nurses Association, the minnesota Nurses Association, the michigan Nurses Association, and the D.C. Nurses Association. If the affilia tion is approved by Convention, NYsNA would become a NNU Affiliate like these other state Nurses Associations.
how will NYsNA fit into NNu’s structure?
the decision to affiliate
Q:Governanceandissues
references
m
and education about palliative care services and their benefits, an indi vidualized and effective discharge plan aimed at improving quality of care cannot be achieved.
specialized Team of Caregivers
Aslakson, r., Cheng, J., Vollenweider, D., galusca, D., smith, t. J., & pronovost, p J. (2014, February 01). evidence-based palliative Care in the Intensive Care Unit: A systematic review of Interventions. retrieved may 20, 2018, from atUniversityCenterebpspmwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/rar(2013,Waite,r10.1002/14651858.CD000313.pub5sfromsA.,garticles/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/bCare:ImperativeFine,pmwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/https://C3924791/r.L.,mD.(2004,July).theforHospital-basedpalliativepatient,Institutional,andsocietalenefits.retrievedmay27,2018,frompmC1200661/onçalves-bradley,D.C.,Lannin,N.Clemson,L.m.,Cameron,I.D.,&hepperd,s.(2016).Dischargeplanninghospital.theCochraneDatabaseofystematicreviews,(1),CD000313.doi:anganathan,A.,mD,Dougherty,m.,ms,D.,msW,&Casarett,D.,mD,mA.October).CanpalliativeHomeCareeduce30-Dayreadmissions?resultsofpropensityscorematchedCohortstudy.etrievedmay18,2018,fromhttps://C3791031/tevens,K.r.(2004).ACestarmodelof:Knowledgetransformation.Academicforevidence-basedpractice.theoftexasHealthscienceCentersanAntonio.
Palliative care is a model of care that despite its advantages, is often overlooked and underutilized in a climate of often painful and unre alistic expectations. Palliative care has the potential to relieve pain and suffering for those afflicted with serious illness and provide the sup port they, and their families need, as well as ease the financial burdens associated with end-of-life care.
PaLLiatiVe c are Lost in the Pursuit of immortality. a Quality care initiative
their last months of life, young and old alike. And, although the major ity of people express their desire to die in the familiar comforts of their own home, an overwhelm ing number of them will die in the hospital. This brings about a ripple of effects that extend beyond the dying individual to their family, their caregivers, and their commu nities, ultimately resulting in sig nificant loss of dignity. It consumes our humanity and our healthcare resources, all at enormous emo tional and financial cost.
Palliative care is a model of care expectations.andofteninunderutilizedoverlookedisadvantages,despitethatitsoftenandaclimateofpainfulunrealistic
ultimately ineffective treatments for this patient population and meet the goals of reducing unplanned readmissions and hospital LOS.
Christine smith, rN
Because of its distinctive charac teristics, palliative care is admin istered by a specialized team who works in tandem with the medical team and consists of physicians, nurses, social workers, physical and occupational therapists, as well as psychological and spiri tual support professionals. The goal of the palliative care team is to provide comfort by addressing issues caused by the physical and emotional pain or suffering asso ciated with serious illness, while institutional goals include the reduction of recurrent hospitaliza tions and LOS that signify poor patient outcomes, as well as, the elimination of barriers to providing appropriate end of life care related to lack of knowledge and clinical expertise.AsAmerica’s population contin ues to age and advances in tech nology are allowing them to live longer with chronic and life-limit ing conditions, aggressive and often unwanted or unwarranted treat ments are provided in a seemingly futile pursuit of immortality that puts a significant strain on patients, caregivers, and the healthcare system. The Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC) reports that access to palliative care that can help relieve pain and suffering for those afflicted with serious illness and provide much needed support but these programs are severely underutilized. Research suggests that in the absence of resources
It is the responsibility of nurses regardless of their level of practice to obtain the knowledge and skills that are needed to provide best evidence-based practice, and to lead the way for change and create a plan to answer the ANA’s call to action that will improve quality of life for patients and their families.
By Christine Smith, RN
New York Nurse 9 september 2022 MeMber S Spe A k
A Collective responsibility
In the United States, as healthcare becomes more complex and costs continue to escalate, healthcare sys tems, payers, and providers search for ways to contain their budgets, and researchers seek solutions aimed at reducing costs by using early discharge planning techniques to decrease unplanned readmis sions, shorten hospital length of stay (LOS) and improve coordina tion of services. (Gonçalves-Bradley et al., 2016) At the same time, advancements in technology are allowing patients with chronic, life-limiting illnesses to live longer through the development of ever more aggressive and high-cost medical treatments that “incur the highest per capita healthcare costs” (Fine, 2004) that are often at the expense of the quality of a person’s life. Palliative care programs pro vide an option that has the potential to ease the burdens of painful and
ore than half of all andtremendousadultsAmericanexperiencepainsufferingin
searching for Budget solutions
NYrN Completes medical mission to egypt
l Emergency Department Care
10 New York Nurse s eptember 2022
visited, we provided PowerPoint presentations on relevant health care issues in the United States. We discussed and compared these healthcare issues and their impact in Egyptian society. The presen tation ended in a discussion of the impact of social influence on healthcare practices and the profes sions. And offline the conversation continued with a broader discourse on the influence of religion and culture in the general healthcare profession.
l Standards of Nursing Care
VAP ManagementBundle of the New Nurse
Medic A l MiSSioN
l Recognizing Stroke Symptoms Common Nursing Procedure
l Introduction to Stroke: An Educational Module for Stroke Patients and Family Members, and
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YSNA nurses completed two additional medical missions; this time to Egypt. These visits mark our 47th and 48th medical mission trips.
thankful to Rony Curvelo for making this possible.”
By Rony Curvelo
“The Egypt medical mission trip was an amazing experience from start to finish,” said Shauna-Gay Powell, FNP-BC. “The hospital staff including it’s leadership was there with us every step of the way, from the time we got there to the last minute when we left. They were so warm and welcoming, eager to learn from any knowledge we had to impart. This was a life changing experience that will forever be in my heart influencing my career. I’m
This was a lifeinfluencinginexperiencechangingthatwillforeverbemyheartmycareer.
l Transmission Based Precautions, l Preventive andImmunizationsPediatricsforNewbornsAdolescents,
For first visit of this year in Egypt, our group of nurses visited the Misr Al Mahaba Hospital in Mynia.
For more information, or pictures, please visit our Facebook page.
Over three days, New York Relief Network volunteers trained all hospital nurses and delivered four lectures. The topics were:
The NYRN 48th Educational Mission (#48), also in Egypt, occurred from August 21 to August 29. The second group delivered lectures and trained nurses at the ElRaye ElSaleh Hospital in Samalout. Over three days, NYRN volunteers trained all hospital nurs es and delivered lectures on:
In Egypt, at the MISR Al Mahab hospital we
My experience in the magnificent country of Egypt concluded with the visit of the Majestic pyramids, and the view of the boundless river Nile. I will definitely participate in another mission to Egypt.”
magnificent Country
“SinceManagement.Egyptis the epitome of civilization and knowledge, I wanted to seize the opportunity to participate in the first educa tion mission to Egypt in 2022,” said Benjamin Nagu, RN. “The experience reminded me that nurs ing is a global profession and that health care problems exist beyond our borders. Although healthcare export and exploration is the crux of our missions, in most cases the social aspect is so astounding that to ignore it would be disingenu ous to our medical mission.
l Breaking the Chain of Infections
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online registration open for 2022 NYsNA Convention!
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n August 3, the New York State Department of Health launched the $1.3 billion Health Care Worker Bonus Program enacted in the New York state budget. Employers will soon provide eligible nurses and frontline healthcare workers with the paperwork to receive their bonuses.
Nurses Applaud senate Passage of the inflation reduction Act
YSNA nurses joined our friends at National Nurses United in applauding President Biden on signing the Inflation Reduction Act into law. The bill is an important first step in the fight against price gouging of life-saving medication. The government will be able to negotiate lower prices on prescription drugs for seniors on Medicare, and cap out-of-pocket costs for medication for seniors up to $2,000 per year, and cap insulin copays to $35 a month for Medicare recipients.
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fter two years of remote and hybrid conventions, NYSNA will welcome leaders and delegates from across the state to the exciting Resorts World Catskills for our in-person 2022 Delegate Convention, October 19-20. Register online today! The convention gives NYSNA members the opportunity
hospitals will be diverted back into their homes, left with inexperienced family members to provide care, and monitored miles away from a nurse and specialized care. Learn more about Home All Alone programs from our union siblings at National Nurses United and why they’re harmful for nurses, our patients, and our community.
Learn key facts about the new Health Care Worker Bonus Program, and check out our FAQ sheet for more information: bit.ly/hc-bonus/
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healthcare worker Bonuses
settle a fair contract. Our mobile billboards garnered the attention of over nine Connecticut newspa pers and also featured Vassar nurse Lianne Lotaj, RN, who spoke out on the unsafe staffing conditions and need for retention incentives at Vassar. Congratulations to the Vassar nurses for their persistence throughout this contract campaign and their dedication to their col leagues, patients and community!
New York Nurse 11 september 2022 A roUNd oUr UNioN
The program requires all pub lic and private employers to pay bonuses to healthcare workers providing hands-on care services and earning gross annual wages of $125,000 or less (including any dif ferentials but excluding any bonus or overtime pay). The bonus pay ments are not optional eligible employers are required to submit
embers of NYSNA’s Political Action Team (PAT) at Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) recently met (above) with State Assemblymember Billy Jones. Healthcare professionals talked about ongoing staffing issues at CVPH and also offered their sup port for the assemblymember’s re-election campaign. This meeting was part of the North Country’s regional PAT efforts to reach out and build solidarity with local com munity groups and elected officials.
to speak truth to power and promises two days of education, advocacy, solidarity and fun. Less than two hours north of New York City and south of the Capital Region, Resorts World Catskills is easily accessible and offers scenic views of the stunning Catskills Mountains. Download this property and amenities
conditions they hoped to improve through negotiating a fair contract. After last week’s informational picket, Vassar nurses escalated their campaign and brought their message to the streets of Poughkeepsie and the corpo rate home of Nuvance Health in Danbury, Connecticut. A mobile billboard circled around both towns asking residents to call on hospital executives and tell them to
his week, Mount Sinai Health System announced partner ship plans with Contessa, a home-based provider to maximize profit and limit opportunities for patient care in hospital settings. NYSNA condemns this partnership
The bill also makes historical investments in renewable energy and contains provisions that begin to address corporate accountability.
and the new agency called “Mount Sinai at Home” which will absorb Mount Sinai South Nassau’s exist ing home health agency and follows an industry trend toward remote and automated care. Now patients who would normally be admitted to
ate Tuesday, nurses at Vassar Brothers Medical Center (above) in Poughkeepsie won a tentative agreement that the negotiations team believes will help recruit and retain the nurses needed for safer patient care. On Friday, members will vote on whether to ratify the new three-year contract. The breakthrough came after nurses mobilized and spoke out about working and patient care
reimbursement claims to the state and make bonus payments to all eli gible employees or face penalties.
CVPh
mount sinai to Push hospital Care at home to maximize revenue
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overview flyer. The resort opened in 2018 and includes a 332-room all-suite hotel, casino, a Crystal Life Spa, two fitness centers and an indoor waterpark. Download and share registration forms for delegates and for members and alternates. Check the 2022 Convention webpage for more information.
NYSNA continues to advocate for retention bonuses for ALL health care workers and is monitoring this program closely to ensure all eligible NYSNA members are included.
Vassar Brothers Nurses win Tentative Agreement
131 West 33rd street, 4th Floor New York, NY 10001 New York Nurse september 2022 Non- profit UsNYpostagepaidsNA INsIDe CongratulationstoNYSNA's Political Director Michelle crentsil And All the Inspiring Leaders Honored in City & State NY's “Brooklyn Power 100” & “Albany 40 Under 40” Hold the date! NYsNa 2022 convention wednesday, oct. 19 – Thursday, oct. 20, 2022 resorts world Catskills, monticello, NY Nella pineda marcon, rN, secretary, New York state Nurses Association prOpOseD A meNDmeNts tO NYsNA bYLAWs All members can register to attend https://www.nysna.org/2022-nysna-conventionat Members,forMessageimportantNYsNa p. 4
