Nurses Detail Bad Environment, Bad Pay

Several nurses and their representatives presented reasons why their work environment and salaries needed change to the Committee on Health, Hospitals, and Human Services Friday.

Senators appeared unanimous in their support for the nurses.

Marvin Blyden said, “It is not right, it is unfair” how local nurses were being treated. He asked, “How can we expect our nurses to perform after what we heard today.” He continued, “We need to do something expeditiously, do everything possible.”

Jacqueline Canton testified, “Everyday day as the nurse in charge I receive complaints from nurses regarding upper respiratory symptoms such runny eyes nose, and intense skin issues. Others experience the worst symptoms such as asthma, chest discomfort, and headaches. It is challenging to care for others while we experience these issues at our health facilities which should provide a safe and healthy environment that promotes wellness and healing.”

Canton, who is Registered Nurses Leadership Union Executive Chair, went on to say, “Nurses at the Department of Health gather vaccines, medications, equipment, and supplies daily from the moldy modulars to transport them to the tent and mobile vans which are located in the parking area of the now condemned Charles Harwood complex. Every day nurses enter the Gov. Juan F Luis Hospital to challenges with air conditioning, mold, challenges with oxygen supply, equipment, and staffing. Nurses in the emergency department must assist patients to the outside restroom facility. These issues are not new, some are long-standing and burn staff out.” She said that when she and others take their concerns to hospital officials the only answer they get is that they will be moving into new facilities.

Sen. Alma Francis Heyliger said, “We are moving is not an answer.” She added, “We have been moving since I have been a member of this legislature.”

Sens. Novelle Francis and Genevieve Whitaker seemed focused on possible solutions. Francis asked for recommendations from the nurses. Whitaker asked what the next steps were.