Nurses, families, and community members will gather on Wednesday, Nov. 2, for an evening rally to “shine a light on the need for safe staffing” at Antelope Valley Hospital (AVH)—releasing 94 illuminated balloons representing the 94 registered nurse positions at the hospital—California Nurses Association (CNA) announced today. 

“Due to the practices of the Executive Management Team at Antelope Valley, we have been unable to recruit and retain nurses at our hospital. We’ve been standing strong, advocating for our patients, in a community we care about deeply,” said Kathleen Stalter, RN. “We’re rallying with families and neighbors on Wednesday to let management know that it’s time to support safe staffing and safe patient care.”

What:      Rally to Shine a Light on Safe Staffing/Thanksgiving Food Drive
When:     Wednesday, November 2, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Where:   Antelope Valley Hospital, 1600 W Avenue J, Lancaster, CA 93534 (15th Street W Entrance)

CNA represents approximately 1,000 RNs at AVH, who struck Sept. 28—with management taking a hard line in contract negotiations—to draw attention to issues such as safe staffing. AVH cutting corners on staffing, say nurses, impacts the hospital’s ability to recruit and retain experienced RNs—the aforementioned 94 open positions corresponding with RNs who have left Antelope Valley to work in other communities.

The Executive Management team spent nearly $4m on outside nurses for a one-day strike and four-day lockout, sending district funds away from the hospital and out of the local economy. Yet, they have refused to invest in their own patients and RNs, say nurses.

“We’re rallying to ask the AVH Board of Directors to listen to nurses, to improve staffing and working conditions, to invest in recruitment and retention—because our community deserves the most experienced nurses and high quality care,” said Maria Altamirano, RN.

The rally will also serve as a Thanksgiving food drive to benefit the community, say nurses. Community members are asked to bring non-perishable food items, such as stuffing or canned vegetables for donation.