Nurse taking patient’s temperature at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (Photo: Mark Oswell)
Nurses from the Jennifer Moreno VA Medical Center in San Diego joined the nationwide demonstration, A Day of Action, on Tuesday to demand better working conditions and staffing improvements.
The protest, organized by the National Nurses United (NNU), the largest union and professional association of Registered Nurses in the United States, brought together caregivers from hospitals across the country to address concerns related to understaffing and compromised patient care. Of the 225,000 NNU members, over 14,000 nurses work in VA facilities.
The shortage of nursing staff in VA hospitals has been a persistent issue, which was worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent investigations by the VA Office of Inspector General have revealed severe shortages in nursing staff across Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities. This understaffing has put pressure on nursing teams, leading to compromised patient care.
Nurses at VA hospitals face bureaucratic hurdles and uncompetitive salaries, hindering efforts to address the staffing crisis effectively. Despite their commitment to providing the best possible care to Veterans, these constraints make it increasingly difficult to deliver the level of care they aspire to.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, VA leaders have made recruiting, hiring, and retaining nurses a top priority. Legislation such as the PACT Act and RAISE Act increased pay for thousands of VA Nurses. Additionally, the VA has implemented retention incentives and bonuses to recognize and reward nurses for their exceptional work.
Many VA nurses and hospitals are still struggling, despite these efforts by the VA. The challenges faced by VA hospitals reflect the broader issues within the nursing industry.
Inadequate staffing levels pose safety risks for patients, as there is often a lack of readily available staff to provide necessary care. Some proposed solutions include capping the number of patients assigned to each nurse and streamlining shift schedules, which could help address the issue alongside better compensation. The NNU has been advocating for federal legislation to establish a standard nurse-to-patient ratio, which has been proven to reduce patient mortality rates. Many Registered Nurses have left the profession due to long hours, patient overloads, and inadequate equipment.
As the nationwide staffing crisis intensifies, nurses are emphasizing the need for hospitals to address these ongoing issues, improve working conditions, and prioritize the safety and well-being of both patients and nurses.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.
