Hundreds of NYSNA Nurses Gather to Celebrate 2024 Convention!
In late October, hundreds of NYSNA nurses and healthcare professionals gathered from across the state to celebrate our annual convention in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Over the two-day Convention, members attended educational workshops, met with other healthcare professionals from different parts of New York State, and were treated to a slate of guest speakers that embodied our 2024 Convention theme of “We Are Unstoppable: Building Nurse Power for Our Patients, Profession, and Future.”
This year, NYSNA members continued to build on the victories we fought hard to win in 2023. In every part of New York state, members have continued to organize and build on past contract and policy victories; and on the national level, we’ve continued to unite with our union siblings to confront the largest issues facing the healthcare industry and build nurse power.
Day One Was Inspiring and Educational
NYSNA members hit the ground running on the first day of Convention! On Tuesday morning, hundreds of members attended packed workshops on safe staffing, building union power and strong contract campaigns, mental health, workplace violence, emergence of artificial intelligence, enhancing physical assessment skills and more.
After the morning session, NYSNA President Nancy Hagans, RN, BSN, CCRN officially opened the 2024 Convention. President Hagans gave a powerful speech highlighting NSYNA’s recent successes and calling attention to the work left to be done on behalf of nurses and patients, saying, “We have had such an incredible year of momentum and victories. We showed that when we unite and fight, we win! We built nurse power—in New York and throughout the country. But we know that to secure a better future for our patients and profession, we need to continue building power and making sure nurses—the patient advocates—have a seat at the table."
Following Pres. Hagans, NYSNA members were treated to remarks from the first of our keynote speakers: Viriginia Allen, one of the last surviving Black Angel nurses. Allen gave an inspiring speech, talking not only about the impact of the Black Angels, but also about the essence of nursing, saying, “While technologies and treatments may evolve, what truly matters is the care and connection we provide to our patients and their families. That human touch is invaluable—it’s something no price tag can capture, despite the attempts of healthcare corporations to commodify every aspect of care.”
Our afternoon session continued with more workshops, including a hands-on workshop where nurses practiced their physical assessments on state of the art, mannequin simulators.
NYSNA Executive Director Pat Kane, RN closed out the first day of Convention. She reminded the packed room, “As NYSNA members, we move ahead boldly with integrity and united in purpose. We are not about accepting the status quo.” NYSNA members were addressed by our three remaining keynote speakers, National Nurses United (NNU) President Cathy Kennedy, RN; New York Executive Director of SAG-AFTRA Rebecca Damon; and Assembly Member Aileen Gunther. All three gave powerful speeches on the critical role NYSNA nurses play in advocating for patients and advancing the labor movement, both in New York state and on the national level. Pres. Hagans presented Gunther with gifts in honor of her lifetime achievement and retirement from the New York State Assembly. When Gunther, a long-time nurse and safe staffing champion, announced her plans to return to bedside nursing, NYSNA members gave her a standing ovation.
Check out the day one slideshow.
Day Two Engaged Hundreds of Delegates in Union Democracy
After all the education and excitement of day one, the second day of our annual convention saw Convention delegates engage in union democracy and decide the priorities and direction of our union for the coming year. On Wednesday, while non-delegate members attended additional workshops, delegate members from across New York state participated in the voting body, the space where elected nurse leaders debate and vote on critical issues.
This year, delegates discussed and voted on several proposed changes to the NYSNA bylaws and a record number of resolutions. The bylaws were amended to include: a change to the submission date for resolutions ahead of the annual convention; and adjusting the term of NYSNA delegates elected in 2024 to decrease the number of elections that take place each year. Read the amended bylaws and the list and language of the many approved resolutions. Resolutions not considered during the 2024 Convention will be taken into consideration by the Board of Directors.
Check out the day two slideshow.
If you missed out on the 2024 NYSNA Convention, check out our highlights on Facebook and Instagram. And save the date for next year’s Convention at Resorts World Catskills on October 28 and 29, 2025!