Nurses Association Opposes Budget Cut to SUNY Nursing Education

• by New York State Nurses Association

LATHAM, NY (01/20/2010)(readMedia)-- The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) opposes Governor Paterson's recommended $143,100 cut to funding for expanded SUNY nursing programs.

While the SUNY program is just one part of nursing education, it is integral to the larger effort of meeting the long-term needs of the nursing shortage. "While we applaud the Governor's extension of funding for the Senator Patricia McGee Nursing Faculty Scholarship Program and continued funding of private nursing education, we cannot ignore the need for funding at our SUNY institutions," said Tina Gerardi, MS, RN, CAE, Nurses Association CEO. "Without sufficient nursing programs, the nursing shortage will worsen and patient care will be severely compromised," she said.

NYSNA urges the legislature to address the current nursing shortage and reject the Governor's damaging cuts to SUNY's nursing education programs.

The New York State Nurses Association is the voice for nursing in the Empire State. With more than 37,000 members, it is the state's largest union and professional association for registered nurses. It supports nurses and nursing practice through education, research, legislative advocacy, and collective bargaining.