Nurses Ratify New Contract that Give Monmouth County Patients Access to a Hospital with Safe Nurse to Patient Ratios

HPAERegistered Nurses at Jersey Shore University Medical Center have ratified their new contract with Hackensack Meridian Health that includes enforceable safe nurse to patient staffing ratios, better pay, and enhanced workplace violence prevention measures.

HPAE Local 5058 President Dan Hayes, RN, congratulated rank-and-file members who stood together in their demand for a contract that included safe staffing.

"We bargained the highest standards of care into this contract," Hayes said. "Safe staffing has been extensively researched over decades and has been proven to allow nurses to provide the safest and best care for our patients. What's best for nurses is always best for patients."

HPAE President Debbie White, RN, said the safe staffing language negotiated will also allow the hospital to retain current staff and attract new nurses to JSUMC. "We know that nurses are leaving our hospitals at an alarming rate due to the stress and burnout from caring for too many patients at one time. This contract will provide for an environment that allows nurses to practice the way they were trained and will also decrease the endless turnover costs for hospitals. It's a win for everyone.

The new contract ratified by HPAE Local 5058's more than 1,700 Registered Nurses establishes nurse-to-patient staffing ratios and enforcement mechanism:

• 1:5 Med/Surg
• 1:2 for Critical Care
• 1:2 Labor/Delivery
• 1:1 Active Labor
• 1:3 Postpartum (couplets)
• 1:4 Pediatric
• 1:5 Behavioral Health/Psychiatric

Effective June 1, 2026 - 1:3 Step Down

September 2026 - 1:4 Telemetry

Emergency Department Staffing Guidelines

• 7 a.m. - 11 a.m. - 15 nurses
• 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. - 24 nurses
• 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. - 26 nurses
• 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. - 26 nurses
• 11 p.m. - 3 a.m. - 16 nurses
• 3 a.m. - 7 a.m. - 15 nurses

Along with improvements to benefits and working conditions, JSUMC members will also see their wages increase by at least 10-12% during the life of the three-year agreement. The new contract also includes:

• Improved Earned Sick Leave benefits
• New student loan repayment program
• Improved health and safety language to address workplace violence concerns
• Greater Access to Childcare center
• Higher wages to incentivize hiring and retaining staff

HPAE Local 5058's nurses at JSUMC belong to Health Professionals and Allied Employees (HPAE), New Jersey's largest health care union, representing more than 15,000 nurses, social workers, therapists, technicians, medical researchers, and other health care professionals in hospitals, nursing homes, home care agencies, blood banks, and university research facilities in New Jersey and Southern Pennsylvania.

RESOURCES:

For more information, contact: Michael Allen, (646) 436-7556.

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