WORCESTER, Mass. - Union nurses say they are striking for better staffing and patient care standards at Saint Vincent Hospital, but, behind the line, Athena Marko has continued to give care.
Tuesday marked the end of the third month for Saint Vincent nurses on the picket line.
"That is for my patients and the safety and care of them," said Marko, who says she didn't know she was going to cross the picket line until the morning the strike first started.
"I had a restless night's sleep the night before they were going to do the walkout," Marko said. "I just made the decision because I took an oath as a nurse to provide care."
Athena has been a nurse providing care at Saint Vincent Hospital for seven years. She works in the emergency department and said she sees a lot, but never poor patient care.
"Throughout all of Saint (Vincent's), I've had family members admitted," Marko said. "No one has ever gotten any bad care here."
She also disagrees with a lot of what the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) is asking for, like the 4:1 patient ratio.
"In the (Emergency Department), we can't tell an ambulance that is coming in with your loved one or your family member that no we can't see you because we are up to our four patients now and you have to wait," Marko said.
Several of Marko's co-workers in the emergency room also continued working, making the decision to cross a little easier, but it comes with its challenges. Before every shift, she has to cross the line once again.
"It is a little stressful every morning when I pull off (I-290) to come into the hospital," Marko said. "(Nurses) are standing out there, some of them are my co-workers. They give you dirty looks and they yell things at you, but I just keep my radio on and think about what I am here for."
Marko said she welcomes the return of any striking nurse."I'm hoping they just come to an agreement, a simple agreement and we can all move along and move past this and be a team again," she said.
The MNA said the nurses remain committed to the work stoppage and a signing a contract ensuring the safety of their patients.
In a statement made on Monday, the union said they think its time for a change in leadership at the hospital.