Marilyn Shuler, a utilization review nurse at Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx, has dedicated 39 years of her career to managing patient charts and liaising with insurance companies to secure coverage. However, her long-standing commitment to the institution came to an abrupt end when she was among twelve nurses laid off on Sunday, a decision attributed to the integration of AI-driven software in her department, as reported by the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), the organization representing nurses at the facility.
“This treatment feels utterly disrespectful after so many years of pride in my work and the organization,” Shuler expressed. “My colleagues and I share this sentiment deeply.”
The parent union of NYSNA, National Nurses United (NNU), has voiced concerns regarding the ramifications of artificial intelligence in nursing roles. Shuler’s situation represents one of the first instances of layoffs linked to AI technology that the union has had to confront.
NNU has proposed an AI bill of rights aimed at safeguarding both patients and nurses and has actively advocated for protections within contracts and legislative efforts. Additionally, they have organized protests against the implementation of untested AI technologies in healthcare environments.
“NNU nurses, including those at Montefiore, have been leading the charge against hospital employers’ attempts to introduce unregulated AI into clinical settings,” stated Jamie Brown, president of NNU and a registered nurse. “Experience teaches us that hospital employers continuously seek any chance to minimize costs at the expense of patient care and nurse staffing.”
These layoffs coincide with a significant nurses’ strike that occurred across various hospitals in New York City in January 2026. The new union contracts that emerged from those strikes included measures designed to protect against the use of AI in nursing.
Shaiju Kalathil, a Montefiore nurse and member of the union’s executive committee, asserted that these layoffs contradict the recently negotiated contract, stating, “We are furious about these layoffs; replacing dedicated nurses with AI is a blatant violation of our contract achieved through striking. This situation should concern everyone involved in healthcare regarding the quality of care.”
Upon returning to work post-strike in February, Shuler and her colleagues noticed alterations in their workflow, yet received no explanations. After raising their concerns with the union, they finally received notifications on May 28 indicating all twelve nurses would be laid off within 45 days.
“It was a shock and a disappointment,” Shuler recounted. “We sought clarity and transparency on the changes but were met with silence.”
Shuler emphasized the complexity of her role, which often involves nuanced communication regarding medication adjustments and discharge planning, tasks that are not easily replaced by AI. “AI should serve as an adjunct to the clinical expert, not as a substitute,” she remarked. “We welcome advancements in technology, but there is a significant issue with adopting new tech without solid evidence of its effectiveness.”
While Montefiore Hospital did not address the layoffs directly, they stated that technological changes were being implemented in a nonclinical context related to paperwork. Joe Solmonese, senior vice president for government relations and strategic communications at Montefiore, described the claims made by NYSNA as “inaccurate and misleading,” asserting that the hospital is committed to investing in technology to enhance patient care and outcomes.
