Providence nurses are in negotiations for our next union contract. We’ve gone to the city council repeatedly to discuss safety and how understaffed we are. While Providence’s CEO stated there are no national standards, Providence has developed standards based on generally accepted models together with nurses and management. They are not adhering to their own internal guidelines, guidelines they approved and signed, none of which includes taking a 75 percent increase from its own staffing plan.
Calling our workloads “significant” is a gross trivialization. Providence should perform an internal survey asking all nurses if being staffed with 3 or more patients over the staffing ratios that Providence established is “endangering our patients.” The responses of about 1,200 bedside nurses would illuminate. The data is there for the asking. Are they afraid to ask?
Providence is spending more than $5 million annually for prominent display of Providence logos across Seattle Sounders players’ chests and other marketing. They have not spent one penny on nurse retention. Providence’s chief financial officer should have to explain this.
The state Department of Health should arrive unannounced on night shifts and weekends — without being sandwiched between executives — and talk with the nurses privately and witness the environment throughout the hospital. This contract is about patient safety. The safety of our community. The safety of each patient entrusted to our care.
Two Providence hospitals in Portland, Ore., had their first strike by nurses in decades. Clearly they’re willing to go to extremes. We are preparing to do so as well.
T. Pierce, registered nurse
Everett
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