Thousands of nurses at eight Providence hospitals are on strike Friday morning, and for the first time in Oregon history, they are being joined by some doctors as well.

Nearly 5,000 nurses, physicians and other caregivers from eight Providence hospitals and six Providence clinics began an open-ended strike at 6 a.m. Friday. “This is truly a historic event,” Oregon Nurses Association Executive Director Anne Tan Piazza said at a Thursday new conference.

Nearly 5,000 doctors and nurses at several Providence hospitals and clinics hit the picket lines Friday in what could be the largest health care worker strike i

With concern growing over hospital care as a Friday strike looms at Providence Hospitals, representatives from the Oregon Nurses Association will hold a press conference to update the public on their preparations.

With up to 70 doctors intending to strike at St. Vincent alone, the hospital plans to cap new patient admissions. Even with bringing in outside physicians, it expects doctors will be able to accommodate only 250 to 275 patients. Flashback: In summer 2023, Providence nurses went on a five-day strike, which ended without a secured contract.