ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The community is stepping up to help Mission Hospital nurses in case of a strike.

A GoFundMe page was set up earlier this week with a goal of $10,000 to help Mission Hospital nurses who could hit the picket line if a new contract can’t be worked out. Despite negotiations that began in April, the nurses and HCA Healthcare/Mission have yet to reach an agreement. The previous Mission Nurses United contract expired July 2.

Although the nurses have said a strike isn’t the end goal, they have also said it is a possibility if they can’t reach a deal with hospital officials.

One donation website said negotiations have “hit an impasse, especially around patient safety and pay. Nurses are considering a strike to force HCA back to the bargaining table with a stronger offer.”

BY THE NUMBERS: CLOSER LOOK AT MISSION NURSES’ NEGOTIATIONS

The website said the donations are a way to make sure striking nurses are able to make ends meet.

“Wow. We’re completely overwhelmed by the support from our community in the 24 hours since the strike fund went public. Asheville for Nurses will be increasing the goal to make sure nurses can get all the financial support they need to strike. Thank you all so much for your generosity!” a post made to the Mission Nurses United Facebook site said.

The Asheville for Nurses website has links to other ways the community may support nurses.

“Beyond grateful to our community for supporting Mission nurses who want to strike but are worried about making ends meet. We love you, WNC!” a Mission Nurses United Facebook post from Wednesday said.

‘NOBODY WANTS STRIKE TO BE THE END GOAL’ NURSE SAYS

Efforts to reach the group that set up the GoFundMe have been unsuccessful.

Mission Health officials late last month called a strike “unnecessary, given the serious efforts we have invested in bargaining since mid-April.”

“We remain committed to reaching a contract agreement that is fair and equitable and allows us to continue to provide the excellent patient-centered care our community deserves,” HCA Healthcare Division Public and Media Relations Director Nancy Lindell said in a statement issued June 28.

Efforts to reach the nurses’ union for comment were unsuccessful.

CLOCK TICKING ON TALKS TO AVERT NURSES’ STRIKE AT MISSION HOSPITAL