It is very appalling the indifference being demonstrated by this hospital towards the professional nurses!

As part of the North Shore University Hospital-Long Island Jewish Network System (supposedly they pride themselves being called the "Premier" health care institution in the region, with the help of the nurses of course!), its mission is to "monopolize" and re-structuring (re-engineering) the system for more profit at the expense of the public, which deserves highest standard care.

North Shore Hospital at Plainview, with the financial support of the network, has squandered close to one-half million dollars to pay "scab nurses" and extra security manpower, has suffered loss of revenue for less than two weeks because the ultimate mission is break the union, institute re-structuring (downsizing of employees) thereby resulting in jeopardizing patient care. The public is getting "shortchanged."

As a public concern, I am curious to find out the circumstances behind the death of six patients (in 24 hour period!) during the strike when the hospital staffed the units with traveling nurses (from other state?).

Paz Eastman, RNC