The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation claims we've forgotten the quality that should exist in our health service.
300 union members attended a seminar in Dublin today to discuss safe practice and reform in light of continuing cutbacks.
Overcrowding and understaffing in hospitals remain key issues for frontline staff.
INMO General Secretary Liam Doran says the system needs more money to become a world-class health service.
"The problem is we're six years down the roads in cuts … the abnormal has become the normal. Extra beds on wards have become the norm. Overcrowded ED departments have become the norm. One nurse looking after 30 and 40 elderly care people have become the norm," he said.
"They're not normal. If you want a world-class health service 24/7, then not enough money is being put into it at the moment to allow that to happen."