Nurses and strikes: a perspective from the United States

Area of Science:

• Nursing Ethics
• Labor Relations in Healthcare
• Professional Autonomy

Background:

• A persistent debate exists in the United States regarding the professional and ethical implications of nurses engaging in collective bargaining and striking.
• Opponents argue that nurses striking is unethical and constitutes patient abandonment, despite federal laws requiring strike notices for patient care arrangements.
• The American Nurses Association (ANA) officially supports the right of nurses to strike as a final resort, contributing to the ongoing professional discourse.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the longstanding controversy surrounding collective bargaining and the right of nurses to strike within the United States.
• To examine the ethical arguments presented by both proponents and opponents of nursing strikes.
• To understand the impact of the American Nurses Association's stance on the nursing profession and its membership.

Main Methods:

• This study is based on an analysis of the ongoing debate and professional discourse surrounding nursing labor actions.
• Review of ethical considerations and professional standards related to nursing practice and advocacy.
• Examination of the historical and current position of the American Nurses Association (ANA) on nurses' right to strike.

Main Results:

• The debate over whether nurses should engage in collective bargaining and strike remains unresolved.
• Ethical concerns about patient abandonment are frequently raised, though mitigated by legal requirements for strike notices.
• The ANA's support for nurses' right to strike has created divisions within the nursing profession.

Conclusions:

• The controversy surrounding nurses' collective bargaining and right to strike persists, reflecting diverse professional viewpoints.
• Despite ethical debates, nurses have utilized strikes sparingly and effectively, with legal frameworks in place.
• The division within the nursing profession highlights the complexity of balancing patient advocacy, professional ethics, and labor rights.