New York City Nurses Demand Safer Workplaces Amid Ongoing Strike Threat, Following Deadly NYPD Shooting at Hospital
As tensions rise ahead of a looming hospital strike, nurses in the city are pushing for increased security measures following a deadly shooting incident at NewYork-Presbyterian's Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. The 62-year-old former NYPD officer who allegedly threatened staff and patients with a sharp object was fatally shot by police after barricading himself in a room.
Nurses are now doubling down on their calls for greater protection against workplace violence, citing the need for panic buttons, metal detectors, and other safety measures to be implemented across hospitals. The New York State Nurses Association has already reached tentative agreements with several hospitals that have committed to enhanced safety protocols, including the addition of Behavioral Health Rapid Response Teams at Richmond University Medical Center on Staten Island.
However, hospital safety remains a sticking point in negotiations, as nurses seek better pay, health benefits, and staffing levels. Multiple facilities, including Mount Sinai Hospital and Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, are also preparing for strikes. Nurses at Mount Sinai Hospital reported being rattled after a man with a gun was apprehended by security last November, leading to disciplinary action against three staff members.
The hospital administration maintained that patient safety is their top priority, but critics argue that measures taken so far do not go far enough to address the growing concern of workplace violence. With over 40% of nurses in New York planning to strike on Monday, hospitals are bracing for potential disruptions to services. The union has vowed to push forward with its demands until safer working conditions are achieved.
"We have been fighting for patient and nurse safety for months at our hospital," said one Mount Sinai nurse. "Mount Sinai Hospital has responded with dismissal."
As tensions rise ahead of a looming hospital strike, nurses in the city are pushing for increased security measures following a deadly shooting incident at NewYork-Presbyterian's Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. The 62-year-old former NYPD officer who allegedly threatened staff and patients with a sharp object was fatally shot by police after barricading himself in a room.
Nurses are now doubling down on their calls for greater protection against workplace violence, citing the need for panic buttons, metal detectors, and other safety measures to be implemented across hospitals. The New York State Nurses Association has already reached tentative agreements with several hospitals that have committed to enhanced safety protocols, including the addition of Behavioral Health Rapid Response Teams at Richmond University Medical Center on Staten Island.
However, hospital safety remains a sticking point in negotiations, as nurses seek better pay, health benefits, and staffing levels. Multiple facilities, including Mount Sinai Hospital and Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, are also preparing for strikes. Nurses at Mount Sinai Hospital reported being rattled after a man with a gun was apprehended by security last November, leading to disciplinary action against three staff members.
The hospital administration maintained that patient safety is their top priority, but critics argue that measures taken so far do not go far enough to address the growing concern of workplace violence. With over 40% of nurses in New York planning to strike on Monday, hospitals are bracing for potential disruptions to services. The union has vowed to push forward with its demands until safer working conditions are achieved.
"We have been fighting for patient and nurse safety for months at our hospital," said one Mount Sinai nurse. "Mount Sinai Hospital has responded with dismissal."
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this is so concerning, i mean i get that hospitals need to be safe but come on 40% of nurses walking out? it's not just about the violence, it's about the pay and benefits too... i feel for the nurses who are trying to do their jobs but also have to worry about being shot or hurt in some way. 
and yeah i can see why they're pushing for panic buttons and metal detectors, that makes total sense. hospitals need to take this seriously and not just sweep it under the rug like they did with that guy at mount sinai hospital... 
... like, I get it nurses need better pay & benefits but come on! a deadly shooting incident is like, the final straw 
. hospitals gotta take this seriously & implement some serious safety measures ASAP. panic buttons, metal detectors... I mean what's the point of even having a hospital if you can't trust the staff? 
and don't even get me started on the staffing levels 
they should be able to provide better care w/o having to resort 2 violence. I'm all for nurses fighting 4 their rights but let's not forget about patient safety either 
40% of nurses walkin out? that's like, a hospital shuttin down... 
. they're already dealing with crazy patient loads and lack of resources, the last thing they need is someone trying to threaten them 
. but at the same time, i feel like hospitals are being super reactive here 
... it's not just about throwing up some metal detectors and panic buttons 
, there needs to be actual policy changes in place 
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... better pay and benefits are a no-brainer 
, but is 40% of nurses actually planning to strike really going to achieve that? 
it's all so... complicated 
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it's getting ridiculous, hospitals should be considered crime scenes not just places of healing 
. It's not just about pay and benefits, it's about feeling safe on the job 
. We need more security measures in place ASAP 
. Panic buttons and metal detectors are a must 
. I mean, can you blame them? Hospitals should be a safe space for patients and staff alike, not a war zone.
. Nurses want panic buttons, metal detectors... basic things that would make anyone feel safer 
. And what's with the administration not taking this seriously? Patient safety is literally their top priority, so why are they not doing more to address workplace violence?
. They're not just fighting for themselves, but for all the other nurses who work in those hospitals. It's a bold move, and I hope they get what they want 
. Strikes can be super inconvenient, but if it means creating safer working conditions, it's worth it 
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Idk how much more stress they can take w/ all these crazy patients & no support from admin 
. Safer workplaces 4 real is key - like adding panic buttons & metal detectors ASAP! 
. Hospital admin says patient safety matters, but w/ how many staff members getting fired 4 reporting incidents? 
It's all about the $$$, not ppl's lives 
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It's not just about better pay and benefits, it's about SAFETY first! 
. The fact that nurses are being asked to work in environments where they feel vulnerable to workplace violence is just unacceptable. I mean, can you imagine walking into a hospital shift knowing there’s a person with a sharp object who could potentially harm anyone? 
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. If we don't address these issues now, it could lead to burnout, turnover, and even more problems down the line 
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