Can nurses get unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor?

Yes, nurses absolutely can get unemployment benefits! Healthcare workers are eligible just like any other employee as long as you meet the basic requirements - sufficient work history and wages in your base period. The fact that you're a nurse doesn't disqualify you. Your coworkers might be thinking of some other situation or old information.

I'm also a nurse and got unemployment last year when my position was eliminated. Filed online through my.ny.gov and it was pretty straightforward. Just make sure you have your employment history ready and be honest about the reason for separation. Since you were laid off due to budget cuts, that should qualify you.

wait are you sure about this?? my friend who's a CNA said she couldn't get unemployment because healthcare is considered essential work or something like that. maybe it depends on your specific job title?

I had trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor when I needed to talk to someone about my nursing job separation. If you run into issues reaching them by phone, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get connected to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting hung up on.

Been a nurse for 15 years and collected unemployment twice during hospital restructuring. No issues at all. Just file your weekly claims on time and keep looking for work. The NYS Department of Labor doesn't care what your profession is as long as you meet the eligibility requirements.

omg yes file asap! I waited too long thinking I couldn't get it and lost out on like 3 weeks of benefits. dont make my mistake

As someone who works in healthcare administration, I can confirm that nurses are absolutely eligible for unemployment benefits in New York. The confusion might come from the fact that healthcare workers are often in high demand, but that doesn't affect your eligibility for UI benefits when you're laid off through no fault of your own. Since you were laid off due to budget cuts (which is considered involuntary separation), you should definitely qualify. Make sure to file as soon as possible since there's usually a waiting period, and benefits are calculated based on your wages during your base period. Good luck with your claim!

I'm a travel nurse and had to file for unemployment between assignments last year when my contract ended early due to hospital budget issues. The process was actually smoother than I expected! I filed online through the NYS DOL website and got approved within about 10 days. The key is being clear that your separation was involuntary - budget cuts definitely qualify. One thing to note is that if you have any upcoming contracts or job offers, you'll need to report those when you file your weekly claims. But being a nurse absolutely does NOT disqualify you from benefits. Your coworkers might be thinking of workers' compensation or some other program. File as soon as you can!