Nurses, Community Protest Short Staffing, Unsafe Work Conditions

Mercy Hospital Bakersfield registered nurses, joined by community supporters, will hold an informational picket Tuesday, May 3, to protest growing problems with short staffing and unsafe working conditions at the hospital, California Nurses Association (CNA) announced today.

“Nurses know from caring for patients at the bedside, that safe nurse-to-patient staffing ratios save lives. CNA fought for and won legislation in California ensuring safe staffing ratios, and we are simply asking that the hospital staff according to the law,” said Sandy Reding, RN. “We are calling for a better work environment, to uphold the best possible care conditions for our patients.”

What: Mercy Bakersfield nurses, community hold informational picket

When: Tuesday, May 3; 11 a.m.—1 p.m.

Where: 2215 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301

A recent study by the Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing showed that for each additional patient per nurse on medical-surgical units beyond five per nurse, there was a 4 percent decrease in the odds of survival.

With study after study proving safe staffing saves lives, RNs say that they are highly concerned about understaffing at Mercy Bakersfield, where hospital units are regularly not staffed for acuity (severity of condition) of patients. According to nurses, the hospital is so short staffed that the assigned charge nurses, who are supposed to be on hand to manage patient care needs and give support to other nurses, are also being assigned patients, preventing them from being a necessary resource on the unit.

“We are working long shifts, 12 hours, and we are so under staffed that nurses are not even able to take a meal or rest break. This is not healthy for nurses, and it is not safe for patients!” said Gerald Rasmussen, RN.

Nurses say the informational picket is a way to let the community know what they’ve been fighting for inside the hospital—and how much Mercy Bakersfield has been compromising patient care.

“There is a saying, ‘If the nurses are on the outside, there’s something wrong inside,’” said Mary Lynn Briggs, RN. “We are holding this informational picket to make a public stand on safe staffing. We are always there to advocate for our patients, whatever it takes—and we hope the community will join us in fighting for safe patient care at Mercy Bakersfield. Our patients deserve no less.”