NYC Health + Hospitals Bolsters Public Health Care With Over 1,000 New Union Nurses

NYC Health + Hospitals, the city’s public healthcare system, has hired over 1,000 new union nurses over the past few months, reducing its reliance on travel nurses.

On Monday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, alongside Mitchell Katz, MD, President and CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals, explained that this “addition to the workforce ensures patients are served by permanent employees who are committed to the mission, come from the community, and have developed institutional knowledge.”

Adams said, “Nurses stand on the frontlines of our health care system, and we were all witness to their heroic actions during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.” 

The mayor added, “They are often the first and last people you see when you visit a hospital or outpatient setting, and they are the backbone of our healthcare system. Our administration is proud of the progress we have made hiring, training, and retaining nurses, investing in our healthcare workforce, and a healthier city. “

According to the city, the health system now boasts over 9,600 full—and part-time nurses following these new hires.

This announcement on Monday is part of the city’s ongoing effort to enhance its recruitment and retention of nursing staff.

President Katz stated, “Through our targeted recruitment efforts, we have been able to attract and retain top talent in the field, ensuring that our patients receive the best possible care. The dedication, expertise, and empathy of our nursing team are the foundation of our success, and we are grateful for their tireless efforts.”

In March, NYC Health + Hospitals initiated “Nurses4NYC,” a large recruitment drive targeting vacancies at three of its hospitals. 

Other measures include the city’s advancement in training 5,000 new nurses through a citywide nurse residency program, the creation of a critical care nursing fellowship, and a 22-week emergency department fellowship program designed for nurses without prior clinical experience in the ED.