Desert Regional Medical Center Tenet nurses picket for increased staffing, training
Athena Jreij
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Tenet nurses at Desert Regional Medical Center and across California held informational pickets Thursday demanding increased staff and training.
According to the union, Tenet nurses are currently in negotiations to bargain a contract that includes staffing improvements like lift support, rapid response nurses, and rest and meal break nurses, as well as adequate orientations for new hires.
Those picketing on the ground allege inconsistent staffing and shift cuts are harming patient care.
“We’re constantly moving nurses like they’re chess pieces across the hospital. A patient can have 2 or 3 nurses in a shift, that’s not good for them. That increases the risk of errors when that happens,” Rachel Garcia, a registered nurse at Desert Regional said.
“We hear constantly we don’t staff for ‘what ifs,’ it’s an administrator saying. We are a level one trauma center. We are a comprehensive stroke center. We are an advanced cardiac care center. We should be staffing for ‘what ifs,” Laura Bruce, an ICU nurse said.
Nurses on the ground told News Channel 3 some new hires receive just days or orientation before working.
“New nurses that come to our hospital that have experience, they’re only getting four days orientation. Is that enough? No,” Bruce said.
In a statement to News Channel 3, Desert Regional Medical Center said:
“Our hospital is in full operation and open for all services. Our team’s focus today, as it is every day, is on providing exceptional quality patient care. We are currently involved in bargaining with the union and will continue to negotiate in good faith in hopes of reaching a successful contract. Our focus is on providing high quality healthcare to our community and a positive work environment for our employees.”
Officials say the hospital and nursing union will meet back at the bargaining table next week, on August 5th and 6th to resume contract negotiations.
Stick with News Channel 3 as we continue to follow this story.