February 16, 2026 NEW YORK, NY The freezing picket lines have finally thawed for thousands of New York City healthcare heroes—at least for some.

In a dramatic shift just as the city prepares for Valentine’s Day, over 10,000 nurses have officially ended their month-long walkout, trading their protest signs for stethoscopes at Mount Sinai and Montefiore hospitals. As of 7 a.m. Saturday, the shifts were back to full strength, marking a massive victory for labor rights in the city's history.

But while the halls of Montefiore and Mount Sinai are humming again, a "black hole" remains in Manhattan's healthcare grid.

The Victory: What the Nurses Won

After thirty days in the winter cold, the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) didn't just walk back in—they marched back with a "historic" deal in hand. The new three-year contracts are designed to address the very issues that pushed the healthcare system to the brink.

The Win at a Glance:

• Massive Raises: A 12% salary increase spread over three years (roughly 4% annually) to help keep veteran nurses from quitting.

• Enforceable Staffing: New, legally binding standards for "safe staffing" to ensure one nurse isn't juggling too many patients at once.

• Violence Protection: New measures to protect frontline staff from the rising tide of workplace violence.

• Health Benefits: Full maintenance of the premium health benefits nurses fought to keep.

"They showed their employers and this city the lengths they would go in order to protect their patients," said Nancy Hagains, RN, president of NYSNA. "They’re stronger and more united than ever."

The Holdout: NewYork-Presbyterian Still in Crisis

The celebration isn't universal. While their "union siblings" are back at the bedside, 4,200 nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian remain on the sidewalk.

The union reportedly rejected the hospital's latest proposal, claiming it didn't go far enough to match the gains made at other facilities. As of today, the standoff is in "full force," with no new bargaining dates officially set. The hospital has remained tight-lipped, failing to comment on when they might return to the table.

"Patients Always Come First"

At Mount Sinai, the tone from the C-suite has shifted from confrontation to reconciliation. CEO Brendan Carr, MD, issued a letter to the returning staff, emphasizing a rapid return to "normal operations."

"We never lost sight of the fact that our patients always come first," Carr stated, thanking the staff for navigating the "challenges" of the past month.

What Happens Next?

The eyes of the city are now fixed on NewYork-Presbyterian. With the "template" for a successful contract now established at Mount Sinai and Montefiore, pressure is mounting on management to bridge the gap before the healthcare disruption turns from a crisis into a catastrophe.

For the 10,000 nurses back at work, this Valentine's Day isn't about chocolates—it's about the patients they spent a month fighting to protect.