Over 100,000 patients have been left waiting on trolleys in Irish hospitals so far this year, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.
The INMO has said this is the earliest that such a high number of admitted patients without beds has ever been recorded.
The organisation has warned of unprecedented overcrowding in Irish hospitals since early summer.
Today, it said 100,195 patients had been left waiting on trolleys this year, over 1,900 of whom were children.
The worst-hit hospital this year was University Hospital Limerick, where over 15,000 patients were left without a bed.
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Cork University Hospital, Sligo University Hospital, St Vincent's University Hospital in Dublin and Letterkenny University Hospital were also badly affected.
The INMO has called for a multi-faceted approach to tackle the problem, including the cancellation of non-urgent elective care in public hospitals and the use of private hospitals for such work instead.
It also wants to see the introduction of retention measures, including the provision of accommodation for essential workers such as nurses and midwives, particularly in rent pressure zones.
The organisation's General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said it is "not good enough" that nurses and the patients they are trying to provide safe care to are "expected to accept this as normal".
"Senior figures in the health service have warned the Irish public that waiting over 24 hours to be admitted to hospital is the new normal. In no other country would this level of indignity be accepted," she said.
"Behind our trolley figures that we publish everyday are vulnerable patients trapped in undignified and unsafe conditions. Our members are working incredibly hard, it is clear that our public health service can no longer provide both emergency care and elective care."
Ms Ní Sheaghdha said that while safe staffing has been prioritised in the winter plan, it is not being met in many hospitals.
She described bed capacity announcements as "a meaningless endeavour if you do not have the staff" to ensure the beds can be opened safely.
"The Department of Health and the Health Service Executive cannot afford to be passive. Between overcrowding and retention of nurses, the situation is worsening every day," Ms Ní Sheaghdha said.
"Every possible measure that can be taken in the coming days and weeks must be taken."
