Recently, nurses from the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) gathered outside Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) in Plattsburgh. Their message was clear: they want safer staffing ratios and limits on artificial intelligence (AI) in their new contract.
The nurses are pushing for changes as they negotiate a new contract. The previous contract expired last December, and since then, discussions have been tense. A major concern is the number of patients each nurse must manage. Shawn Baker, a nurse and chair of the hospital’s staffing committee, highlighted that her unit’s patient load increased from four to five patients per nurse. She stressed that this change makes it harder to provide quality care.
Another experienced nurse, Chris Swiesz from the emergency department, noted that the current ratios can be even higher, sometimes reaching eight to ten patients per nurse. This workload contributes to high turnover rates among nurses, making it challenging to maintain experienced staff, as new nurses often leave due to stress.
Beyond staffing, the issue of AI in healthcare is rising in importance. Vicki Davis-Courson, a registered nurse and NYSNA’s eastern regional director, expressed concern that AI could replace nurses at the bedside. She emphasized the need for human connection and compassion in patient care.
A recent study by Harvard and Stanford revealed that leading AI models made critical errors in patient care in up to 15% of cases. Most of these mistakes were due to omission, which puts additional strain on nurses who must verify AI recommendations. Ransley Garrow, a CVPH IT engineer, mentioned that an overworked nurse could easily miss an AI error, risking patient safety.
In response to these challenges, NYSNA members are advocating for limits on AI usage in their negotiations. They want a contract that guarantees safe staffing levels and protects their benefits. CVPH President Michelle LeBeau stated that the hospital is working to find a balance that benefits employees and patients alike, especially amidst growing pressures in the healthcare sector.
While Davis-Courson hopes for a positive outcome in the upcoming negotiations, she acknowledges the possibility of a strike if necessary. The nurses from CVPH and others in the NYSNA, including those at Adirondack Medical Center and Alice Hyde Medical Center, are all looking for fair contracts. So far, NYSNA has successfully settled agreements with several healthcare facilities this year.
As this situation unfolds, it highlights a critical moment for healthcare workers and underscores the ongoing struggle for safe work conditions and effective patient care.
