The NYS Nurses Association Elects Hagans

NEW YORK – The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) announced the election of Nancy Hagans, RN, CCRN, as the new president of the oldest nurses’ union and association in the nation representing more than 42,000 registered nurses across the state.

Ms. Hagans is a nurse and critical care expert who was first elected to NYSNA’s Board in 2015. She was elected by the Board to the position of Treasurer in 2019 and is an active member of the union’s Social Justice Committee.

Hagans is a native of Haiti and started her career as a surgical intensive care nurse at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn in 1990. She became NYSNA’s local bargaining unit president at the hospital in 1993. Currently, Hagans is the NYSNA Resource Nurse providing direct representation to NYSNA members at Maimonides. Hagans is also a trustee of the NYSNA Benefits Plan overseeing NYSNA health plan operations, Executive Council President of the 1,000-member bargaining unit, as well as a member of the Maimonides Staffing and Staff Development Committee.

With broad experience at Maimonides and in oversight of the union, Hagans is a strong and knowledgeable leader of RNs. Her election comes on the heels of Governor Andrew Cuomo signing a safe staffing law that was passed during the 2021 legislative session, a major development for hospital nurses and the patients for whom they care.

“We are a very powerful force for patients and their communities. Our voice is respected, our skills professional, our role central to society’s healthcare. As I take on the responsibilities of the presidency, a landmark staffing law has just been achieved. What a victory! The law represents years of outreach and action by our members and fellow caregivers to communities whose collective voices were heard. The staffing law is a giant step forward towards our goal of equity in healthcare. Our fundamental belief that healthcare is a human right shall not be deterred.” said Nancy Hagans, RN, CCRN.

“Nancy Hagans, RN, as leader of the newly elected Board of Directors, ushers in an exciting new phase in the growth and development of our union. I’ve been privileged to work with Nancy in her role as treasurer, board member and LBU leader, where she has played a critical role in the success of NYSNA as a fighting organism for our members, our patients and the people of New York. I am sure that she will continue to push our union to even greater heights in her new role as president,” said Judy Sheridan-Gonzalez, RN, immediate past president of NYSNA.