STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Reality is starting to set in for Northwell Health nurse, Adriana. She’s been a registered nurse at Staten Island University Hospital for three years but she's unvaccinated which means she may be terminated from her job on Monday.


What You Need To Know

  • Northwell Health is requiring all employees to have the first dose of their COVID-19 vaccine by Sept. 27

  • If employees fail to comply they will face adverse action up to termination

  • Northwell says 87% of its staff is vaccinated

“I’m very scared," she said. "My kids ask me all the time like, ‘How are you gonna pay for our school?' But I know I’m doing the right thing because I need to teach my daughter most specifically like the government does not tell you what to do."

The hospital announced that all employees would have to get their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by Monday, Sept. 27 or they may be fired.

“I feel like my constitutional rights are being trampled on,” said Adriana.

Laura has been a nurse at the hospital since 2009. Neither of them want their last name used in fear of backlash about their stance on the vaccine.

“I feel very taken advantage of because the entire time no one tested me, my PCR was not needed as an unvaxxed nurse and all of a sudden now I need to be tested," said Laura. "Being a master's prepared nurse now I feel like the time, energy and effort that I put into advancing my degree all of a sudden now doesn’t mean anything."

The hospital’s decision came after former governor Andrew Cuomo mandated that all health care employees in the state be vaccinated by that same date.

Since then, some health care workers from around New York have been rallying against the mandate. John Matland believes it disregards the personal choice of those on the front lines throughout the pandemic.

"For me it comes back to a belief about where you are in life," said Matland. "It started out as this is wrong and what’s happening to my coworkers is wildly wrong and somebody somewhere has to speak out."

Matland says Northwell Health fired him in early September for hanging this protest banner alleging he endangered the lives of patients.

Matland denies the allegations saying he was on the street the entire time. He contested his firing.

"If I get reinstated I have to really think about what my next move is," said Matland. "If I do get my job back I do have the option of getting vaccinated of what I feel is not right for me spiritually scientifically but I would get to keep my job and keep coming into the facility everyday like I have for the past 15 years."

Laura and Adriana both say that they’ll put on their uniform and go to work on the 27th, even though they’ve been told the hospital will turn them away.

“What will I do? I don’t know” said Laura.

“I will clean bathrooms if I have to, I will walk dogs. I’m going to continue supporting my children and feeding my children” said Adriana.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Northwell Health said, “We care for sick people - some critically ill – every day, and we are responsible for their safety while in our care. We are optimistic that these mandates will soon allow us to provide a fully vaccinated staff to our patients and the communities we serve.”

Northwell Health adds 87% of its workforce has been vaccinated, saying patient care will not be affected as it’s working to meet staffing needs.