More than 200 nurses in Mullingar have begun a work-to-rule industrial action in a row over overcrowding at the Midland Regional General Hospital.
The Irish Nurses' Organisation are protesting against what they call "unacceptable conditions" for staff and patients due to a lack of ward-space in the hospital.
Even though funding was recently allocated towards expanding the hospital, no work is expected on the site for at least two years.
The Labour Relations Commission will meet with the INO on Thursday to try to solve the dispute.