Proposals that would hurt patient care could spread far beyond Lenox Hill, New York State nurses warn

Nurses association says they will support Lenox Hill nurses unconditionally

NEW YORK, Oct. 18, 2012 — As nurses at Lenox Hill Hospital face off against hospital administrators, the New York State Nurses Association says North Shore-LIJ’s proposals could have far wider, and very negative, effects on the ability of nurses to deliver safe patient care.

“North Shore-LIJ’s proposals put more than just Lenox Hill patients at risk,” said Nancy Kaleda, NYSNA deputy director. “They are putting their profits ahead of their patients. New York’s patients can't afford to let that model spread to other hospitals — and nurses are determined to stop this dangerous move.”

Nurses at Lenox Hill are represented by the New York Professional Nurses Union (NYPNU).

Nurses say North Shore’s proposals would hurt patient care. Hospital administrators are proposing:

Gutting rules that prevent exhaustion and burnout among nurses – which studies show are a risk to quality care;
Implementing rules that would allow hospital management to force nurses to work on units where they do not have the proper experience and training;
Weakening protections that make sure nurses are looking after patients instead of making beds and answering phones;
Cutting tuition benefits that nurses use to improve their training and skills.

“NYSNA nurses support Lenox Hill nurses 100%,” said Pat Kane, RN, a nurse at Staten Island University Hospital and an elected leader of NYSNA. “No nurse ever wants to go on strike. But these nurses are standing up for patient care across New York State.”

Kane’s hospital is also part of the North Shore-LIJ system. The New York State Nurses Association represents nurses at five hospitals in the North Shore-LIJ system.

“When nurses stick together, we raise the standard of patient care,” said Kaleda. “That’s why we're sticking with Lenox Hill nurses today.”

The New York State Nurses Association is the voice for nursing in the Empire State. With more than 37,000 members, it is New York’s largest professional association and union for registered nurses. The association represents registered nurses, and some all-professional bargaining units, in New York and New Jersey. It supports nurses and nursing practice through education, research, legislative advocacy, and collective bargaining.

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