Q&A with Justin Gill, WSNA president

What is your top priority for WSNA in 2026, and why?

It’s important to have openness and flexibility in what comes our way in 2026.

Overall, the top priority is to try our best to defend the healthcare system and the nursing profession from mounting threats at all levels — changes at the federal government, impacts on staffing at the state and local level, and the use of artificial intelligence.

We all know that the current healthcare system fails to meet the needs of patients. We also know that nurses throughout the healthcare system face more complex patients and more complex medical conditions, and we have fewer resources to care for those patients.

We need to stand up to the larger forces in play that fuel these scenarios and speak truth to power. In some cases, that means that we may focus on defending the programs and services we care about, and at other times, we may call for major reform.

Nurses have traditionally not been in the public arena. But a lot of what is needed is nurses telling their stories about what healthcare changes mean for them and their patients. We look at H.R. 1, consolidation of health systems, and cuts to Medicaid, and we need to say how we feel about these issues in a way that is effective and reaches people directly.

When you look back on 2025, what are some highlights you will never forget?

In 2025, we had so many highlights, most of them around being vocal and visible. We had a change in the board of directors, and both the prior board and the new board have made some impactful decisions. We joined a federal lawsuit against the federal government in coalition with healthcare groups because databases and resources, many of which I use, were removed. The lawsuit restored these resources and represented a reminder that we have agency and the ability to make a difference, even if we may feel powerless.

We had our convention with the theme Forward Together, which was the right message for the time. WSNA took a bold stance in defense of patients and healthcare and will be remembered for meeting this moment with courage.

2025 was a huge advancement in our history in terms of perception. We showed members and nurses that belonging to this organization and participating in this organization is about meeting the moment and protecting our patients. People need to feel that they have power and hope to keep going because it’s very difficult to deal with all these challenges all at once.

We are standing at a crossroads in nursing. Passing a resolution at the ANA Membership Assembly urging the ANA board to push back on federal policies that threaten foundational nursing priorities was a huge moment for WSNA and our profession.

Has WSNA’s advocacy changed?

I have noticed that our advocacy strategies have changed. The issues are the same, but our advocacy is more visible. WSNA has not shied away from saying what we feel on issues that are very foundational to nurses and important to patients. While this can be difficult during hyper-partisan times, we have focused our efforts on the issues and will continue to do so.

What advice would you give WSNA members?

I would let WSNA members know that they are members of an organization that boldly stands by its values. If there was ever a moment to get involved, it’s now.

Whether it’s joining a networking group, Lobby Day, or your regional nurses association, contributing to our political action committee, or responding to WSNA Action Alerts, get involved. WSNA puts out a lot of opportunities for members. Now is the time to lean in because there is so much on the line for nursing. Even if it’s something you have never seen yourself doing, lean in and contribute in any way you can. This moment requires us to have an “all hands on deck” approach when standing up for patients. I encourage our members to be engaged in the work WSNA is doing.

What is your long-term dream for WSNA?

My long-term dream is that we expand and include more nurses from various areas of the profession and continue to build our unique brand as a union and a professional association. Our identify as a union and professional association is synergistic, not mutually exclusive. We have allies outside of collective bargaining that lift up our local units. And the work of our collective bargaining nurses lifts standards for the entire nursing profession. We have made progress on this, but I hope that we will further showcase that identity and heritage.