New York Presby to Nurses: You’re Fired-Right After a $750M Settlement Payout
Big news has hit the nursing community, and it’s got a lot of folks talking. NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital recently dropped a bombshell by announcing plans to lay off around 1,000 employees-about 2% of their workforce. The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) isn’t taking this lightly, raising major concerns over these cuts, especially since the hospital's financial situation doesn’t seem to warrant such drastic measures.
@the.nurse.erica #news #nurse #nursepractitioner #ny ♬ original sound - TheNurseErica
The Layoff List: Nurses and More
Let’s break it down: The layoffs were announced during a virtual town hall meeting on May 5, 2025, and they’re not just targeting a single location. Nurses and other healthcare workers from New York City, Westchester, Putnam counties, and Hudson Valley facilities, including Cortlandt Manor and Bronxville, are affected. Among the 70 nurses at risk of losing their jobs are those from NYP-Columbia, NYP-Brooklyn Methodist, and NYP-Hudson Valley hospitals, as reported by Harlem World Magazine.
These cuts aren’t just nibbling around the edges; they’re biting into the heart of patient care. "These cuts directly threaten our ability to provide safe, quality care," a NYSNA rep said. The timing is also a head-scratcher since NewYork-Presbyterian just settled a $750 million sexual abuse case. Talk about a double whammy!
The situation affects more than just nurses. Nursing technicians, clerks, phlebotomists, and environmental service workers are also in the firing line. At Columbia University Irving Medical Center and Children's Hospital of New York alone, 42 NYSNA members got the dreaded layoff notice.
@morgansandiego I stand in solidarity with the NY nurses- especially at NYP and Mt Sinai who are still trying to push through for their patients despite having a FAIR, safe contract! Please SHARE this to get the word out! #newyork #healthcareworker #nurse #ernurse #nursetok #nurselife #travelnurse #futurenurse #nurseproblems #greenscreen ♬ original sound - Morgan Psych NP
Dollars, Decisions, and Disbelief
So, what’s going on behind the scenes? Financially, things don’t seem all that dire. NYSNA points out that NewYork-Presbyterian had a 4.5% profit margin in the third quarter of 2024. Plus, CEO Steven J. Corwin pocketed $14.6 million in 2023, making him one of the top-paid hospital execs in the country. One nurse asked the question on everyone’s mind, "How can an organization that pays its CEO nearly $15 million claim it needs to cut frontline care providers to remain financially viable?"
Hospital administrators are standing by their decision, citing "current macroeconomic realities and anticipated challenges ahead." They insist that patient care won’t be affected and that they’re trying to reassign staff whenever possible. But, let’s be real—skepticism is high. NYSNA argues that cutting nursing staff is bound to impact patient care quality and safety. Research backs them up, showing that proper nurse-to-patient ratios are crucial for keeping patients safe and well-cared for.
For nurses and other healthcare workers caught up in this, it’s a tough spot. Many have given years, if not decades, to NewYork-Presbyterian and now face uncertain futures with few options and little support. The NYSNA has vowed to keep fighting for its members and is closely watching how this all shakes out in terms of patient care.
So, as this unfolds, stay tuned and stay informed. The NYSNA is committed to advocating for affected members, and the broader implications for staffing in New York’s healthcare landscape are under the microscope. In the meantime, keep doing what you do best-providing top-notch care and support to your patients. They need you now more than ever.
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