Melissa Donovan
In 2025, over 100,000 members of National Nurses United (NNU), the largest and fastest-growing union of registered nurses in the United States, will enter pivotal contract negotiations. This comes as NNU members mobilize across the country with marches, protests, and rallies, demanding safer staffing levels, patient safeguards, and responsible implementation of artificial intelligence (A.I.) technologies in healthcare.
In Florida, nurses from HCA Florida Osceola Hospital and other facilities participated in the January 16 National Day of Action. These rallies highlighted the urgent need for safer staffing levels and drew attention to the broader implications of the nursing shortage, projected to worsen in the coming decades.
NNU has been a powerful advocate for quality healthcare and safe working conditions, especially as hospitals face chronic staffing shortages and the rapid integration of A.I. technologies.
The Staffing Crisis and Unsafe Conditions
A recent NNU analysis, using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, revealed a startling statistic: over one million registered nurses with active licenses are choosing not to work at the bedside. This exodus is attributed to unsafe working conditions, inadequate staffing, and insufficient workplace protections, leaving hospitals ill-equipped to meet patient needs.
Mandated nurse-to-patient ratios and comprehensive workplace violence prevention plans are among the solutions proposed by NNU to address these challenges. These measures aim to bring nurses back to the bedside and ensure patient safety.
Concerns About A.I. in Healthcare
As hospitals adopt A.I. technologies, nurses are raising alarms about the risks posed to patient care. NNU’s 2024 Guiding Principles for A.I. Implementation emphasizes the importance of quality, safety, and equity in deploying these tools. However, a survey of over 2,300 NNU members found that 60% of respondents distrust their employers to prioritize patient safety when implementing A.I.
Many nurses report discrepancies between their clinical assessments and those provided by A.I., underscoring the need for caution and oversight in using these technologies.
Collective Action Yields Results
NNU has a history of securing protections for nurses and patients through collective bargaining. At HCA Healthcare facilities, for example, recent agreements include new policies to prevent nurses from being floated to unfamiliar units, addressing a significant patient safety concern. Despite these wins, challenges persist, as HCA nurses report ongoing staffing shortages and unsafe conditions.
The Path Forward: Prioritizing Patients and Nurses
As NNU members prepare for 2025 contract negotiations, their demands echo a broader call for systemic change in the healthcare industry. By addressing unsafe staffing, holding employers accountable for responsible A.I. implementation, and advocating for policies that support the nursing profession, NNU aims to create a healthcare system that values both patients and the professionals who care for them.
Conclusion
The 2025 contract negotiations represent a critical moment for National Nurses United and the healthcare industry. By uniting in collective action, nurses are sending a clear message: safe staffing and equitable A.I. integration are non-negotiable priorities for delivering high-quality patient care.
As the largest union of registered nurses in the country, NNU’s efforts will shape the future of healthcare and set a precedent for prioritizing safety and humanity in an era of rapid technological change.
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