For Immediate Release

Contact: Nancy Webber, 518.782.9400, Ext. 223

New York State Nurses Association endorses Matthew Titone for State Assembly

Staten Island, N.Y. – March 23, 2007 – The New York State Nurses Association today announced its endorsement of Matthew Titone to represent the 61st District in the New York State Assembly. A special election is scheduled for Tuesday, March 27.

“Matthew Titone supports issues that are important to nurses, such as safe patient care and improved workplace conditions,” said Pat Kane, RN, an operating room nurse at Staten Island University Hospital North. “He also recognizes the need to improve Staten Islanders’ access to affordable, quality health care.” Kane is vice president of the NYSNA Delegate Assembly.

In endorsing Titone, the NYSNA Board of Directors noted his strong commitment to legislation that would require safe nurse-to-patient ratios in all healthcare delivery settings as well as a ban on mandatory overtime for nurses.

“Support from the state nurses association is important to me because health care is of vital concern to Staten Island residents,” said Titone. “From my 15 years of volunteer work with Community Health Action of Staten Island, I know that access to quality care is essential for everyone. Registered nurses are on the front lines and have a unique perspective on how to best deliver that care.”

With more than 34,000 members, NYSNA is the oldest and largest state nurses’ association in the nation. It is an influential union for RNs, representing nurses in New York and New Jersey. Offering a wide range of services to its members, NYSNA fosters high standards of nursing education and practice and works to advance the profession through legislative activity. It is a constituent of the American Nurses Association and of the United American Nurses, an affiliate of the AFL-CIO.

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