Nurses at Adventist Health Twin Cities and Sierra Vista hospitals held informational pickets Tuesday, citing concerns over staffing levels, retention and healthcare coverage as contract negotiations continue.
The nurses, represented by the California Nurses Association, have been in talks with Adventist Health since March. According to union representatives, the goal of the pickets is to draw attention to what they describe as a lack of progress on key issues affecting working conditions and patient care.
In a statement to KSBY, Adventist Health said its bargaining teams at both hospitals have met with the union’s bargaining team “a dozen times” to work toward a new agreement. The organization said its current offer includes a 7.5 percent pay increase for registered nurses in the first year, as well as additional holiday time, enhanced differentials and medical insurance that does not require nurses to pay premiums.
If they want to work in North Carolina, advanced practice registered nurses — in particular, nurse practitioners — are required to work with a supervising physician. Certified registered nurse anesthetists require an arrangement with an organization that employs an anesthesiologist. Nurses say these regulations create unnecessary red tape and costs to the APRNs and to patients.
UConn Health abruptly reversed, calling off a plan to cut stipends aimed at recruitment and retention for 260 nurses. The hospital reached an agreement with the University Health Professionals Local 3837 to extend the stipends for a year after earlier this month announcing the immediate cut of 50% of those stipends, causing outcry from nurses.
Hundreds of nurses and other workers at McLaren Macomb Hospital walked off the job Monday morning. Hospital workers, part of OPEIU Local 40, are picketing against McLaren Macomb Medical Center as part of a planned three-day unfair labor practice strike. The strike is expected to last until Thursday, July 10, at 6:59 a.m.
The University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus announced on Monday, June 23, its partnership with Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program.
According to a press release from The University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus, this collaboration underscores the hospital’s commitment to supporting newly graduated nurses as they transition into clinical practice.
The nationally recognized program is designed to enhance patient care by promoting quality, safety, and retention among first-year nurses.
Vermont State University (VTSU) graduated 414 nurses into the health care workforce this year.
Consistent with its ongoing, multi-year nursing program expansion, the university enrolled 713 nursing students this academic year, 90% of whom are Vermont residents hailing from every county in the state.