Nurses strike all the time.

Here is a list of some strikes in US only. 2026: https://nurse.org/articles/nurse-strikes-list/, 2025: https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hr/7-healthcare-strikes-in-2025/

Sometimes they maintain minimum care. There is advance notice provided. Nurses can also do things like provide care but not chart it in the correct way to get “counted” by their funding model. So the employer loses money while patient care is if anything improved.

Nurses can and do strike. People support them because organized nurses who can enforce collective decisions provide the best care.

There was just a victory in New York:

https://www.ajmc.com/view/historic-nyc-nursing-strike-ends-with-3-year-contract-wins

https://www.myamericannurse.com/from-applause-to-action-why-new-yorks-nursing-strike-matters-for-patients-nursing-students-and-the-future-of-the-nursing-profession/