Nurses Rally at St. Mary's, Demand Rapid Response Nurse on Every Shift

Nurses allege retaliation after lead organizer's termination

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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More than 100 registered nurses and their supporters gathered outside St. Mary's Hospital in Tucson, Arizona, calling for at least one designated rapid response nurse on every shift. Rapid response nurses are specially trained to intervene during medical emergencies and support bedside staff. Nurses say current staffing levels are unsafe and describe the strain as a form of 'moral injury'. The rally comes after the hospital terminated the employment of Dominique Hamilton, a lead organizer for the nurses' union.

Why it matters

Rapid response nurses play a crucial role in supporting bedside staff and intervening during medical emergencies. The nurses' demands for increased staffing and improved working conditions highlight ongoing concerns about patient safety and the wellbeing of healthcare workers. The alleged retaliation against the union organizer also raises questions about the hospital's labor practices.

The details

Dominique Hamilton, a nurse of 8 years, was among the more than 100 nurses who rallied outside St. Mary's Hospital on February 27th. Hamilton and other nurses called on Carondelet Health Network, the parent company of St. Mary's, to assign at least one designated rapid response nurse on every shift. Rapid response nurses are specially trained to quickly assess patients in crisis and initiate life-saving interventions. Hamilton described the current working environment as causing 'moral injury', a term used to describe the distress that results when someone feels unable to act in accordance with their professional or ethical standards. Earlier this month, hospital management terminated Hamilton's employment, which the National Nurses Organizing Committee, the union representing about 300 registered nurses at the hospital, called unjust and retaliatory.

  • The nurses rallied outside St. Mary's Hospital on Friday, February 27, 2026.
  • Dominique Hamilton was terminated from her nursing position earlier in March 2026.

The players

Dominique Hamilton

A nurse of 8 years who served as a lead organizer for the National Nurses Organizing Committee union at Carondelet St. Mary's Hospital. Hamilton was among the nurses rallying for increased staffing and was later terminated from her position, which the union called unjust and retaliatory.

Carondelet Health Network

The parent company of Carondelet St. Mary's Hospital, which the nurses are calling on to assign at least one designated rapid response nurse on every shift.

National Nurses Organizing Committee

The union that represents about 300 registered nurses at Carondelet St. Mary's Hospital. The union called the termination of Dominique Hamilton unjust and retaliatory.

Regina Romero

The Mayor of Tucson, Arizona, who spoke with organizers at the rally and expressed support for the nurses' demands, noting that St. Mary's is one of the top employers in the ward she previously represented on the Tucson City Council.

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What they’re saying

“It's just impossible to be a good nurse under these conditions. Because we understand that, because we are angry about that, because we have a fierce loyalty to our patients … we are out here because we want to change it.”

— Dominique Hamilton, Nurse (azpm.org)

“The feeling of knowing what a good job is as a nurse, but not being able to do it. It's easy to feel like a bad nurse.”

— Dominique Hamilton, Nurse (azpm.org)

“It is suspect when negotiations start in May, when the lead nurse organizer is let go.”

— Regina Romero, Mayor of Tucson (azpm.org)

“I also believe in justice and making sure that workers — especially nurses — have the capacity to be able to get what they need.”

— Regina Romero, Mayor of Tucson (azpm.org)

What’s next

The nurses' union has demanded the reinstatement of Dominique Hamilton, and the hospital's negotiations with the union are set to begin in May 2026.

The takeaway

This rally highlights the ongoing challenges faced by nurses, who are calling for improved staffing and working conditions to provide quality patient care. The alleged retaliation against a union organizer also raises concerns about the hospital's labor practices and the ability of nurses to advocate for their needs without fear of repercussions.