I’ve spent a lot of time in New York City, and I thought I’d seen every kind of "disruption" this town could throw at a visitor. I’ve navigated subway shutdowns, massive parades that paralyze midtown, and even the occasional blizzard that turns Central Park into a ghost town. But right now, the city is feeling a different kind of energy.
On Monday morning, January 12, 2026, the largest nurses' strike in New York City history officially kicked off. We’re talking about nearly 16,000 nurses from the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) walking off the job at some of the most famous medical institutions in the world. If you’re visiting the city or planning a trip in the coming weeks, you need to understand what this means—not just for the headlines, but for your own safety and your itinerary.
Look, New York is a city that never stops, but when the frontline of healthcare takes to the streets, the ripple effects are real. Here’s the "boots-on-the-ground" reality of what’s happening and how you should handle it.
The Hospitals in the Crosshairs
First things first: which hospitals are actually affected? This isn't a city-wide shutdown of every clinic. The strike is focused on five major private hospital systems—the "wealthy outliers," as the union calls them—that haven't reached a deal.
If you find yourself needing care, these are the locations where you’ll see the picket lines:
Mount Sinai Hospital (the flagship on the Upper East Side)
Mount Sinai Morningside and Mount Sinai West
Montefiore Einstein (multiple Bronx locations)
NewYork-Presbyterian (specifically the Columbia University Irving Medical Center locations)
I walked past Mount Sinai earlier today. The strike lines started forming at 6:00 a.m. sharp. By 7:00 a.m., the other hospitals were buzzing with activity too. It’s a lot of noise, a lot of signs, and a lot of passion.
The interesting thing? A bunch of other hospitals, like the Northwell Health facilities and several "safety-net" hospitals in the Bronx and Brooklyn, actually reached tentative deals just in time to avert their own strikes. So, the healthcare landscape right now is a bit of a patchwork. Some places are business as usual; others are in full-blown crisis mode.
Why These Nurses Are Walking Out (It’s Not Just Money)
It’s easy to look at a strike and think it’s just about a paycheck. In New York, where a coffee can cost you eight bucks, everyone wants more money. But from talking to people and following the internal chatter, it’s much deeper than that.
The core issue—and the one that should matter most to you as a potential patient—is safe staffing ratios. I’ve heard nurses describe the current situation as "dangerous". They’re arguing that hospitals are forcing them to take on too many patients at once, which leads to mistakes. One pediatric ICU nurse at NewYork-Presbyterian mentioned that the hospitals are trying to "cut corners" on the gains they made in the last big strike three years ago.
Then there’s the safety aspect. Healthcare is getting increasingly violent. Just last week, a patient at Brooklyn Methodist was fatally shot by police after barricading himself in a room with a "sharp object"—later identified as a piece of a toilet seat. Nurses are demanding better workplace protections, like panic buttons and more security.
And here is a weird 2026 twist: Artificial Intelligence. The union is actually fighting for guardrails on how AI is used in patient care. They’re worried that hospitals will use "hallucination machines" to prescribe meds or cut down on human oversight just to save a buck. (Honestly, I’m with them—I want a human checking my IV, not an algorithm that might "hallucinate" my dosage).
The Practical Side: Getting Care if You’re Sick
Here is the most important advice I can give you, and I’m echoing the Governor and the Mayor here: If you are sick or injured, do not delay getting medical care.
The hospitals are still open. They’ve brought in over 1,000 temporary "travel" nurses and even clinical administrators to fill the gaps. The NYSNA president, Nancy Hagans, has been very clear that patients shouldn't fear crossing a picket line to get treatment—seeking care is not "scabbing".
However, you need to be prepared for some friction:
Expect Delays: In 2023, during a similar strike, patients reported much longer waits and sparsely staffed wards.
Diverted Ambulances: Some hospitals might tell ambulances to head elsewhere if they’re at capacity.
Postponed Surgeries: If you had a non-emergency procedure scheduled at Montefiore or Sinai, it’s probably been pushed back.
Patient Transfers: Mount Sinai and NewYork-Presbyterian have already been moving some patients, including intensive-care infants, to other facilities to ensure they have enough staff to care for them.
If you have a minor issue—a twisted ankle from too much walking or a nasty case of the New York "flu surge"—try an urgent care clinic first. Leave the hospital ERs for the real emergencies.
The Political and Social Backdrop
It’s worth noting that the city is currently in a "State of Emergency" declared by Governor Kathy Hochul. She’s worried about the strike jeopardizing the lives of thousands of New Yorkers, especially during a severe flu season.
There’s also some serious drama regarding the hospital CEOs. One of the biggest talking points on the picket line is the massive pay gap. While nurses are fighting for better health benefits and a 40% raise over three years, they're pointing out that the CEO of NewYork-Presbyterian made $23 million last year, and the Montefiore CEO pulled in $16 million. That kind of disparity doesn’t sit well with people working 12-hour shifts in a "danger zone".
Interestingly, this strike is inspiring nurses in other states too. I’ve seen nurses from Florida and Louisiana discussing whether they should "enter the chat" and start organizing for their own rights. It feels like a national moment for nursing, and NYC is the epicenter.
A Few "Insider" Tips for the Traveler
Check the News Daily: This strike could last a few days, or it could go for weeks. The hospitals say they are prepared for an "indefinite" walkout.
Avoid the Picket Line Noise: If your hotel is right next to Mount Sinai (Upper East Side) or NewYork-Presbyterian (Washington Heights), expect megaphone noise and chanting starting early in the morning.
Be Kind to the Staff Who ARE Working: The nurses and techs who are inside are likely working double-time and feeling the stress. A little patience goes a long way.
Safety First: If you see a massive crowd of picketers, give them space. They’re usually peaceful, but the energy is high, and the NYPD is out in force to manage the traffic and flow.
FAQ: NYC Nurses Strike 2026
Q: Are NYC hospitals closed during the strike? A: No. All major hospitals, including Mount Sinai and Montefiore, remain open. However, non-emergency surgeries may be postponed, and wait times will likely be longer.
Q: Is it safe to go to the ER at a striking hospital? A: Yes. The hospitals have hired temporary staff and shifted resources to maintain critical care. If you have a medical emergency, you should absolutely go to the nearest hospital.
Q: Which hospitals are affected by the strike? A: The main ones are Mount Sinai (and its Morningside/West branches), Montefiore, and NewYork-Presbyterian. Many others, like Northwell and NYU Langone, are not on strike.
Q: What are the nurses asking for? A: Their primary demands include safe staffing ratios, pay increases to match inflation, better health benefits, and workplace protections against violence.
Final Thoughts
New York is a city built on the backs of its essential workers. Whether it's the guy driving your Uber or the nurse monitoring a heart monitor, these are the people who keep the "City that Never Sleeps" from falling apart. While a strike of this magnitude is definitely a logistical headache for us as travelers, it’s also a reminder of the human cost of the healthcare system we rely on.
If you’re in town, keep your eyes open, stay informed, and maybe give a nod of support to the people in scrubs on the sidewalk. They’ve been through a lot—from the height of the pandemic to this historic flu surge—and they’re just trying to make sure they can do their jobs safely.
Stay safe out there. Don't let the headlines ruin your trip, but don't ignore them either. New York is always an adventure; this just happens to be the chapter we’re in right now.
