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Queens, NY – January 26, 2026. The National Student Nurses’ Association stands in solidarity with the American Nurses Association and with nursing organizations and healthcare workers worldwide following the death of registered nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026.
Alex Pretti was a nurse, a public servant, and a member of the healthcare community who stepped forward in a moment of public unrest. His death has raised profound concerns about the use of force, the treatment of civilians, and the safety of those who intervene to protect others. These concerns extend beyond one incident and speak to broader issues of accountability, transparency, and public safety.
As the organization representing the future of nursing and the largest pipeline into the nation’s healthcare workforce, NSNA takes seriously what this moment means for those entering the profession. Nursing students are preparing to serve in communities shaped by violence, division, and increasing risk. The expectation that nurses will respond in moments of crisis must be matched by a collective commitment to protect their lives and the lives of all individuals.
NSNA has long recognized violence as a public health issue. In 2018, our House of Delegates adopted the resolution In Support of Political Action for the Safety of All from Gun Violence, affirming that nurses have both the authority and the responsibility to advocate for policies that reduce violence and safeguard human life. That position remains unchanged.
We call for accountability, transparency, and meaningful action to ensure the safety of nurses, students, patients, and community members alike. Building and sustaining the nation’s healthcare workforce requires more than education and training; it requires a society in which showing up to help does not put one’s life at risk.
NSNA remains committed to working alongside our professional colleagues to advance policies and actions that promote safety for all and uphold the values at the heart of nursing: care, dignity, and respect for human life.
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