Blake's Take: Nurses Strike Back

By Nurse Blake

Getting real about nursing shortage and staffing ratios

Alright, here’s the lowdown! And no, I’m not talking about that time someone microwaved fish in the breakroom (you know who you are). I’m talking about the heavy stuff, some serious shit: nursing shortage and staffing ratio.

Unless you’re a nurse manager always in meetings (what the hell are they doing in those meetings anyway?), you’ve heard all about it. Any bedside nurse in the U.S. can attest that nursing shortage and staffing ratios are HUGE issues!

But why is it happening? Ok, we can’t keep blaming COVID. The pandemic certainly hasn’t helped matters, but let’s move on. We, as nurses, have been dealing with work challenges for years. We’re feeling the pressure, and it’s seriously pushing us to our limits.

The badassery of nurses fighting back

Enter strikes! Did you see how badass nurses have been organizing and fighting back like never before?

We’re joining unions, standing up for our rights, and advocating against labor rights violations. And, let me tell you, there’s power in numbers. When we come together and raise our voices, we can make some serious noise!

I’m talking picket signs, bullhorns, dancing, and a whole lot of determination. Strikes, my friends, are what we do when all else fails, and they pack a powerful punch, especially for us nurses! They make waves in our beloved healthcare system and spotlight how unfairly we are treated.

But not so fast! If you’re not part of a union and thinking about going all ‘strike mode,’ just tread lightly. Here’s the thing: Union members have an advantage when it comes to striking. They have extra perks and backup that non-union nurses don’t have — just putting it out there!

When nurses vote to go on strike, it sends a powerful message to hospital systems and executives. It tells them we’re not messing around, and we demand respect and fair treatment!

Meet the strikers making noise

Check out some recent strikes that shook things up!

Taking On the Big Apple

First is the epic New York Nurse Strike. Nurses from Mount Sinai Health, Montefiore Health System, and Wyckoff Hospital hit the streets in January 2023, picket signs held high, making their voices heard far and wide. The strike went on for three days and really sparked some interesting discussions. People couldn’t help but notice!

The New York Times explained, “...many nurses on the picket line this week said their main priority was improving working conditions by adding nurses to short-staffed hospital floors where they said crowded conditions had put patients at risk and led to stress and burnout among staff. That also became the priority of the union in the negotiations.” I’m nodding so hard my head might fall off — yes, please!

Since then, the nursing world has been hit with some jaw-dropping truths that have really turned heads! Did it have to get to that point? Hell no! But, come on, we’ve been raising red flags for years.

A One-day Strike That Made Waves

Next up was a one-day strike at John Muir Behavioral Health Center in Concord, California. It may have been short, but the message was loud and clear — a call for change and improvement in nurses’ work environment.

Get this! According to KRON4, “[The strikers] say that many nurses are leaving due to pay, benefits, and safety concerns. They also want officials to improve patient safety and offer stronger staffing measures and better training for nurses in the specialty units.” Yep, it’s everywhere!

The Lone Star’s Historic Showdown

Then, in June 2023, a 24-hour-long historic strike took place at Ascension Seton in Austin, Texas. It made history as the largest strike ever seen in the Lone Star State. Nurses walked out and rallied together, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to the cause.

“Seventy-two percent of the 900-person nursing staff voted to form a union last fall. National Nurses United began its first contract negotiations with Ascension in November. Now, the union says it has reached an impasse with hospital management over priorities related to hiring and retention. A top concern for the union is lower guaranteed nurse-to-patient staffing ratios. Nurses at the hospital say they are assigned too many patients at a time, causing nurses to burn out and patients to receive a lower standard of care,” reported The Texas Tribune. Hospital management at its best! SMH!

A Bold Week-long Statement

Not to be outdone, Providence (or better yet “Profitdence”) Portland Medical Center in Portland, Oregon, saw over 1,800 nurses and home health workers walk out for an entire week. It was a bold statement, demanding better conditions for both nurses and their patients.

According to KATU News, “The Oregon Nurses Association said that after a week of ‘unwillingness from Providence to return to the bargaining table,’ the nursing staff at Providence Portland, Providence Home Health & Hospice, and Providence Seaside will be on the picket lines starting Monday.” And they did just that!

Facilities That Dodged Strikes

While several other healthcare facilities authorized strikes in 2023, agreements were reached before the strikes could unfold. These included PIH Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles, St. Rose Hospital in Hayward, MarinHealth Medical Center in Greenbrae, and McLaren Lapeer Region in Lapeer, Michigan.

Taking risks, fighting for fairness!

Of course, going on strike is not only challenging, but it’s a tough decision for us to make as nurses. I mean, we’re taking risks like potentially losing out on pay and not taking care of our patients.

And what’s a bummer is that sometimes the public gets the wrong idea about nurses going on strike. Let’s set the record straight: Going on strike doesn’t mean we just up and leave our patients. That’s what hospital executives want the public to believe, but that’s not true! The reality is that nurses and unions give hospitals plenty of time to negotiate and come to a fair deal before even considering a strike. This gives hospitals the chance to figure out their staffing situation in case a strike does happen.

The public assumes we’re well-paid, so what the hell are we complaining about? If only they knew the real deal! If only they understood what it’s like to be overworked day in and day out while trying to care for really sick patients!

Anyway, the strikes and unionizing show that more and more nurses are willing to take on these challenges to fight for what’s right. It’s an awesome reminder that we are not just caregivers — we are advocates for our own well-being and the well-being of our patients. We are the backbone of the healthcare system, we refuse to stay silent, and we demand safer and better conditions!

Together, strike by strike, we will make our voices heard, challenge the status quo, and make the future of our profession stronger and better. And that’s something we can all get behind!

Quick Facts

• Nurses nationwide are joining unions, amplifying their voices for better working conditions and strength in numbers.
• Strikes highlight the need for improved staffing ratios and patient safety measures.
• Nurses don’t abandon patients. Strikes are carefully planned, and unions give hospitals ample notice to find appropriate staffing solutions.

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