Regarding the article “Nurses at West Penn Hospital authorize strike notice” (July 28, TribLIVE): I delivered my baby at West Penn Hospital just a few months before the pandemic started, and it’s hard to overstate how important the nurses there were to me, my husband, and my baby.

It wasn’t a smooth delivery. My labor spanned two days, I couldn’t get out of bed, and ultimately I had to deliver by an unscheduled C-section. But these nurses were with me almost every minute — holding my hand, explaining what was happening and what would happen next.

I like to be in control and know what’s going on, but I couldn’t be. I had to be able to trust everyone around me, and the nurses made that easy. In the two days after my child was born, they taught me everything about how to care for my newborn.

I know the last year has been difficult. While the nurses continue to be amazing at follow-up appointments, I can tell that everyone is more stressed out.

These nurses deserve every ounce of our support. West Penn Hospital and Allegheny Health Network need to listen to them. If they say they need more staff, the hospital should do whatever it takes to recruit more staff. Nurses truly are the heart of this hospital, and West Penn must negotiate a fair contract that invests in them.

Sara Noel

Stanton Heights

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)