NYS Nurses Association helps found new national nurses' union

• by New York State Nurses Association

LATHAM, NY (04/15/2009)(readMedia)-- The New York State Nurses Association, the leading union for registered nurses in the Empire State, has become one of the founding members of the National Federation of Nurses (NFN).

The new national union was officially launched today at an event in Portland, Ore. The NFN represents more than 70,000 nurses in six state nurses' associations, including New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Based on a federated model, the NFN stresses the autonomy of each member organization. Membership is open to state nurses associations and other labor organizations that represent RNs.

A 21-member constitutional committee adopted governing documents in December 2008 and elected the union's first officers. Barbara Crane, RN, a critical care nurse at St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center in Smithtown, N.Y., was elected to serve as president. She also is the current president of the New York State Nurses Association Delegate Assembly, which includes representatives from local bargaining units from across the state.

"The NFN is founded on core democratic principals such as self-governance, respect for individual organizations' sovereignty, and collaboration," said Crane. "Every member organization has a meaningful voice in the decisions and actions of the national union, resulting in greater transparency and accountability."

"More than ever, registered nurses need a strong, national voice on issues such as healthcare reform and safe staffing standards," Crane continued. "The goal of the NFN is to make a profound and tangible difference in the lives of nurses and their patients through activities that improve both working conditions and quality of care."

Visit www.nfn.org for more information about the NFN and the kickoff event.