Ohio Nurses Association

03/16/2026

Nurses and health professionals are consistently ranked among the most trusted voices in America.

But trust alone doesn’t shape public policy; voting does.

Local, state, and federal elections determine:
• Healthcare funding
• Workplace safety laws
• Public health policy
• Scope of practice
• Patient access to care

When nurses and health professionals vote, healthcare policy reflects real-world patient care.

In this primary election, make your voice count. Confirm your voter registration.
https://voterlookup.ohiosos.gov/voterlookup.aspx

Download a voter registration form or register online.
https://olvr.ohiosos.gov/

03/15/2026

Nurses and health professionals are heading to the Ohio Statehouse on April 30 for ONA Lobby Day 2026: Reclaim the Power!

Join health professionals from across Ohio as we advocate for safe staffing and stronger protection for our patients and our profession.

This year, we are pushing two critical bills:
HB 521 – Establishes minimum RN safe staffing standards.
HB 535 – Strengthens staffing committees with majority direct-care RN representation and transparent unit-specific staffing plans.

✍️ Now is a great time to prepare your testimony. HB 535 had its first hearing on March 11, and nurses will soon have the chance to share their bedside experiences with lawmakers. 📣
Submit your testimony to ONA https://ow.ly/Xj5E50Yt0C8.

📣 Register today: https://ohnurses.org/event/ona-lobby-day-2026-reclaim-the-power/

03/14/2026

Celebrate your birthday 🥳 with an Ohio Nurses Foundation's "Support Nursing" license plate!

Every plate helps fund scholarships through the ONF, supporting the next generation of nurses. You can make a real difference in the future of nursing.

Get yours ➡️ https://ow.ly/SgQk50QwRHB
👉Select Organizational Plates → Ohio Nurses Association

03/13/2026

📣 Your voice matters! Join the call to remove the Wexner name from the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and campus buildings. Our institutions should reflect integrity and accountability.

🖊️ Sign the petition today:
https://ow.ly/7wrK50YtI9j

Together, we can demand better.

03/12/2026

Ohio has taken another step toward modernizing health care policy with the passage of House Bill 52. The law replaces outdated “supervision” language and moves Ohio toward a collaboration-based model among anesthesia care team members. This change better reflects modern practice and respects the professional practice of CRNAs. Legislation like HB 52 shows how thoughtful policy changes can strengthen Ohio’s health care workforce while maintaining high standards for patient safety. The law takes effect June 8, 2026.

03/12/2026

🏛️ ONA Lobby Day 2026: Reclaim the Power! 💪 Join nurses and health professionals from across Ohio on April 30 at the Ohio Statehouse for Lobby Day. Together, we’ll advocate for safe staffing and stronger protections for our patients and profession while building momentum for critical legislation. Register today! https://ohnurses.org/event/ona-lobby-day-2026-reclaim-the-power/

This year, we’re pushing two important bills:

🩺 HB 521 – Requires minimum RN safe staffing standards.
🩺 HB 535 – Strengthens staffing committees, requires majority direct-care RN representation and unit-specific staffing plans, as well as creates structured staffing plans with transparency and oversight.

✍️ Now is a great time to prepare your testimony. HB 535 was heard in the House Health Committee for the first time on March 11, 2026, and the next time it appears on the agenda, you will have the opportunity to share your own stories about why safe staffing and better staffing committees are critical.

Your voice and bedside experience matter.

📣 Submit your testimony to ONA below.
https://ow.ly/Xj5E50Yt0C8

Let’s show up, speak out, and reclaim the power for nurses and patients across Ohio. 💙

03/11/2026

ONA representing unionized nurses and health professionals at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, says the resignation of Ted Carter raises serious questions about leadership and accountability at Ohio State University.

We are calling on OSU to remove Les Wexner’s name from campus buildings. We made it clear: “One resignation isn’t enough.”

Ted Carter was president of Ohio State University beginning in January of 2024.

03/11/2026

East Liverpool Nurses Association members showed up strong for their contract campaign kickoff meeting! 💪

Nurses are fighting for safe staffing, better working conditions, and competitive wages because when nurses have what they need, patients get the care they deserve. ❤️

Together we are standing strong to protect our patients and care for our community. 🏥

03/11/2026

Today, Representative Brian Lorenz delivered sponsor testimony in the Ohio House Health Committee on House Bill 535, legislation to strengthen hospital staffing committees and ensure nurses have a real voice in staffing decisions.

Rep. Lorenz shared a powerful reminder that this issue is not just policy — it’s personal. Being married to a nurse, he has seen firsthand the toll unsafe staffing can take on nurses and the patients they care for.

HB 535 would:
• Ensure staffing committees are led by direct-care nurses
• Require unit-specific, evidence-based staffing plans
• Create transparency and accountability through public reporting
• Encourage hospitals to follow safe staffing plans

This hearing is an important first step, but the next step is even more important: nurses sharing their stories.

When committee hearings begin, lawmakers need to hear directly from nurses and health professionals about how staffing decisions affect patient care.

✍️ You can help now by drafting your testimony.

ONA is encouraging members to write their testimony in advance so it can be banked and ready to submit when proponent testimony is scheduled. If you send us your testimony now, ONA can submit it on your behalf when the bill is heard next.

Your testimony should be 3–5 minutes long and focus on:
• One real moment where staffing impacted patient care
• How unsafe staffing affects nurses and patients
• Why stronger staffing committees are needed

📧 Upload your testimony here: https://ohnurses.org/bill-testimony/

📅 And join us for ONA Lobby Day – April 30
https://ohnurses.org/event/ona-lobby-day-2026-reclaim-the-power/

Advocates from across Ohio will come together at the Statehouse to speak with legislators about the need for safe staffing and stronger staffing committees.

Register, prepare your testimony, and help us Reclaim the Power for safe nurses and safe patients.

03/10/2026

The OSU Anesthesia Techs are ready to VOTE UNION YES after overcoming every obstacle created by management. They stayed strong, organized, and united. 💪

Polling runs March 17–31, and these health professionals are showing what solidarity looks like. When health professionals stand together, they win. ✊

03/09/2026

Families trust Ohio State with their health, their education, and their children. That trust requires integrity, transparency, and accountability.

The resignation of President Ted Carter raises serious questions about leadership at The Ohio State University. One resignation is not enough.

The Ohio Nurses Association is calling for real accountability and for the removal of names tied to controversy from the medical center and campus facilities.

Public institutions must reflect the values of the communities they serve.

Full statement below.

03/08/2026

Nurses advocate for patients every day. ONA stands with survivors and demands accountability and justice.

ONA joined OSU survivors and advocates outside the OSU Longaberger Alumni House, calling for transparency, survivor recognition, and the removal of Les Wexner’s name from university facilities. Survivor advocate Rick Lucas, BSN, RN, CCRN, ONA President, was among those speaking out about the university’s continued failure to center survivors.

The Ohio State University's Board of Trustees wrapped its March meeting in approximately 10 minutes after addressing the controversy involving mega donor and billionaire Les Wexner and sidestepping protesters.