Nurses Across the City Unite in Protest of Workplace Safety as Fatal NYPD Shooting Brings Attention to Hospital Security
A dramatic turn of events unfolded on Thursday when police fatally shot a 62-year-old man, Michael Lynch, at NewYork-Presbyterian's Brooklyn Methodist Hospital in Park Slope. The incident has sparked renewed calls for increased security measures in private hospitals across the city, as nurses from the New York State Nurses Association push back against what they say are inadequate safety protocols.
According to the NYPD, Lynch barricaded himself in a room with an elderly patient and a security employee before being shot by police after ignoring their commands to drop his sharp object. While no hospital staff or patients were injured in the shooting, nurses from the union say that even minor incidents can have a profound impact on their sense of safety.
"Nurses are scared, and we want our hospitals to feel safe," said Karen Hagans, president of the New York State Nurses Association. "No one should ever have to walk into a hospital and think it's going to turn into a crime scene."
The union has been negotiating with hospitals over new contracts, which include increased security measures such as panic buttons and metal detectors. While some hospitals have already agreed to these demands, others have refused.
In fact, three nurses at Mount Sinai Hospital were disciplined after speaking out about the man with a gun who was apprehended by security in November. The union has filed unfair labor practice charges against Mount Sinai Health System over their discipline with the National Labor Relations Board.
Nurses are also planning strikes at multiple hospitals, including those run by NewYork-Presbyterian. While some of these facilities have already agreed to implement increased safety measures, others remain resistant to change.
New York-Presbyterian has declined to comment on whether they will respond with new security measures following the incident. However, a spokesperson for Mount Sinai Health System said that patient safety is their top priority and that hospital management will continue to bargain in good faith over a new contract.
As nurses take to the picket lines next week, hospital administrators are being forced to confront the reality of workplace violence and its impact on staff and patients. With fatal shootings like Thursday's still rare but increasingly common, it's clear that something needs to change – and fast.
A dramatic turn of events unfolded on Thursday when police fatally shot a 62-year-old man, Michael Lynch, at NewYork-Presbyterian's Brooklyn Methodist Hospital in Park Slope. The incident has sparked renewed calls for increased security measures in private hospitals across the city, as nurses from the New York State Nurses Association push back against what they say are inadequate safety protocols.
According to the NYPD, Lynch barricaded himself in a room with an elderly patient and a security employee before being shot by police after ignoring their commands to drop his sharp object. While no hospital staff or patients were injured in the shooting, nurses from the union say that even minor incidents can have a profound impact on their sense of safety.
"Nurses are scared, and we want our hospitals to feel safe," said Karen Hagans, president of the New York State Nurses Association. "No one should ever have to walk into a hospital and think it's going to turn into a crime scene."
The union has been negotiating with hospitals over new contracts, which include increased security measures such as panic buttons and metal detectors. While some hospitals have already agreed to these demands, others have refused.
In fact, three nurses at Mount Sinai Hospital were disciplined after speaking out about the man with a gun who was apprehended by security in November. The union has filed unfair labor practice charges against Mount Sinai Health System over their discipline with the National Labor Relations Board.
Nurses are also planning strikes at multiple hospitals, including those run by NewYork-Presbyterian. While some of these facilities have already agreed to implement increased safety measures, others remain resistant to change.
New York-Presbyterian has declined to comment on whether they will respond with new security measures following the incident. However, a spokesperson for Mount Sinai Health System said that patient safety is their top priority and that hospital management will continue to bargain in good faith over a new contract.
As nurses take to the picket lines next week, hospital administrators are being forced to confront the reality of workplace violence and its impact on staff and patients. With fatal shootings like Thursday's still rare but increasingly common, it's clear that something needs to change – and fast.
. I mean, it's one thing when someone legit has a medical reason for havin' somethin' like that, but another thing entirely when they just decide to come in with a knife 
. It's scary enough for nurses already, and now these hospitals are actin' like nothin's wrong 
. I think we should be seein' more metal detectors and security cameras, not less 
. And what's up with some of these hospitals disciplinin' nurses for speakin' out about it? That's just crazy talk 
.
And what about the cost? Hospitals are already strapped, they can't afford to shell out more cash for security. I'm all for better safety measures, but let's not overdo it, you know? 
. The union is fighting for panic buttons and metal detectors but some hospitals are still refusing to budge. It's like they're playing with people's lives here... I was saying how this is exactly why we need better security, but now it's happening in real life. Three nurses got disciplined at Mount Sinai for speaking out about a patient with a gun and now they're taking action. I hope the hospitals listen to them before someone gets hurt... The union is planning strikes next week so we'll see how that plays out.
they deserve better safety at work. I mean, who wants to go to the hospital and feel scared or anxious? 
. I mean, it's only natural they'd want a safe working environment. But some of these hospitals have been doing this for years and haven't had any major incidents... or so we thought 
. It's just the reality of the job now, right? We can't expect them to be able to prevent everything from happening.
. But it's not just about the physical stuff, it's also about the mental health support for nurses and staff who are dealing with all this stress and trauma 
. So yeah, let's get some security measures in place and all that, but let's not forget to address the root issues too 
. And now nurses are unionizing because they feel scared and uncomfortable coming to work? Get used to it, y'all... this is what happens when you prioritize profits over people 
.
.
. strikes are necessary, hope they get some real changes soon 
Hospitals gotta up their safety game ASAP 
I'm so concerned about these nurses! They're literally risking their lives every day at work and nobody's doing enough to protect them 
. What's next? Nurses having to sign liability waivers just to show up to work? 