Nurses say inadequate staffing is a problem in Pennsylvania hospitals, and new law would protect patients from poor outcomes that can result from overworked health care providers. At a news conference, state Rep. Gene DiGirolamo, R-Bucks, said he understands nurses' call for a legislative remedy. "I know how hard you work," said DiGirolamo, who said his daughter is a hospital nurse. "I see her when she comes back from her shift -- how tired she is." Various nurses' groups do not agree on the best way to fix the problem. There are two dueling proposals before state lawmakers.
A new study shows that the Volunteer State is among the worst states to be a nurse. WalletHub, a personal finance social network, ranked the state No. 42 on its list of 2015's Best & Worst States for Nurses. Tennessee ranked poorly on many of the key metrics reviewed for each area, including average number of hours worked and projected number of nurses per capita by 2022, the story said. In the "opportunity and competition" category, which includes things such as salary and job openings, Tennessee was ranked no. 31. In the "work environment" category, which includes factors such as average commute time and mandatory overtime restrictions, the state came in No. 44.
Nevada ranks dead last in the number of nurses per capita, according to an analysis of the best and worst states for nurses released Tuesday. The ranking, from personal finance website WalletHub.com, reinforces what many state officials say is a weakness in the state's medical workforce: a shortage of health care professionals across the spectrum to attend to Nevada residents. However, the statistic actually bolsters Nevada's status in WalletHub's analysis because it improves the state's attractiveness to nurses looking for a job. Overall, Nevada is ranked 26th in the country for nurses. WalletHub looked at all 50 states and the District of Columbia, analyzing factors such as the number of job openings per capita, average annual salary, average number of hours worked and number of health care facilities in the state.
Registered nurses at six California hospitals went on strike Thursday over staffing levels and other issues amid contract negotiations. Nurses hit the picket lines at 7 a.m. at Kaiser Permanente's Los Angeles Medical Center and at five Sutter Health corporation hospitals in Northern California. The California Nurses Association said the nurses are calling on hospitals to increase staffing levels and take steps to retain experienced workers. They are also demanding policies that give them a stronger voice in patient care. Tessie Costales, a registered nurse for 29 years, estimated there were a few hundred marchers outside the Los Angeles medical center.
The California Nurses Association will hold strikes at five Sutter Health hospitals on April 30, including Sutter Roseville Medical Center and Auburn Faith Hospital. Registered nurses also will strike at Mills-Peninsula Health Services and Sutter hospitals in Santa Rosa and Tracy. The Sutter strikes are part of a larger effort that includes strikes at Kaiser Permanente’s Los Angeles Medical Center, Providence Health and Services hospitals in Santa Monica and Torrance — and the University of Chicago Medical Center linked with affiliated National Nurses United. Although there is no mention of it in union statements, the nurse union is in prolonged contract negotiations at all these hospitals.
IU Health nurses are sounding the alarm, saying patients are at risk until there is change. Some nurses are working to form a union at IU Health. Some nurses told 24-Hour News 8 a union is the best way to give nurses a voice, and in turn give patients the best care possible. "We as nurses have taken an oath. An oath to advocate for our patients," said registered nurse Tiffanie Skillman. It's the oath that motivates nurses like Tiffanie Skillman to say something isn't right. "The number one issue is safety. Patient safety," said Skillman, who believes a union could solve the problems that she says have real consequences.