Welcome to 2026 from your new President Nayna Philipsen; President@MarylandRN.org
In the Words of a Patient:
“I have never encountered a group of people who are more competent, more full of grace and empathy, more willing to serve others than nurses. Nurses should take over.”
Our Mission
These are challenging times in healthcare. In 2026 the Maryland Nurses Association (MNA), along with the American Nurses Association (ANA), resolves to empower nurses to accomplish best outcomes for our patients, our communities, and our profession.
MNA is committed to working with our partners to advocate for a healthy nursing workforce, for quality education for nursing licensure, and above all, to assure all Marylanders access to care and continued nursing excellence.
Through MNA, nurses unite to provide educational services, the ANA Code of Ethics, and nursing advocacy in the Maryland legislature in Annapolis, while realizing the ANA motto of the “Power of Nurses™”.
Our Lobbyist
This year MNA has a new lobbyist in Annapolis, Jamie DeMarco. He is not just a lobbyist, but also an advocate for nursing. Jamie is with us to educate legislators about nursing, and nurses about legislation. Jamie and the MNA Legislative Committee want to hear from nurses about your experiences, and any changes that you propose to improve nursing care. If you came to “Nurses Night in Annapolis”, a long MNA tradition, on Groundhog Day this year, you met Jamie, and Maryland legislators who are seeking advice from nurses to help them decide how to vote on important healthcare questions.
Our Organizational Affiliates
MNA membership includes both individual nurses and nursing organizations. As members, the Maryland School Nurses have worked with MNA to advance legislation that will enhance care to Maryland children and communities through their schools. Are you part of a nursing organization that would like to join MNA and become part of the “Power of Nurses”?
Our Ultimate Purpose
Have you ever complained to a colleague, maybe in the lounge or the locker room, about a change that should be made to help our patients? That complaining doesn’t work, so don’t stop there. By joining together with MNA, we nurses can make those changes.
As a new nursing school graduate, I was excited to join ANA. I wanted to be a part of nursing. Through my years as a maternal-child hospital nurse, clinic nurse, educator, as a health profession “regulator” at the Boards of Physicians and Nursing, and as a Red Cross Disaster nurse, I remained a member, sometimes active, sometimes just dues-paying. Now, as MNA President for 2026 and 2027, much of my time and energy will be dedicated to MNA.
Why does MNA matter so much? It is because NURSES CARE. We care about our patients. They know that we care. They know that we are here for them. They put their trust in us, even naming nurses as the most trusted profession in America in the Gallup Poll for the 23rd consecutive year! https://news.gallup.com/poll/655106/americans-ratings-professions-stay-historically-low.aspx
Scholossberg,T. (2025, December 8) A further shore: Dong battle with my blood, The New Yorker, 15. https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-weekend-essay/a-battle-with-my-blood
Nayna C. Philipsen, BSN, MSN, JD, PhD, RN, FACCE
President MNA
