PROVIDENCE – Front-line caregivers at Women & Infants Hospital gathered recently to hold a candlelight vigil to honor patients and caregivers amid an ongoing staffing shortage.
Caregivers who are members of Service Employees International Union 1199 New England gathered at the Care New England Health System hospital on Dec. 13 to host a “Women and Infants Candlelight Vigil for Safer Care,” a vigil to “honor patients and caregivers who have suffered during the staffing crisis and to shed light on the need to invest in immediate, sweeping recruitment and retention measures.”
“Mothers and families come to CNE’s Women & Infants Hospital to receive quality health care – care directly provided by us – nurses, aides, techs, dietary and others,” said Robyn Hamaker, a registered nurse in the float pool. “We are the ones who work long shifts at the hospital. We’ve worked through the pandemic and now through this dangerous short-staffing crisis. But something is very wrong when the CEO gets big bonuses and raises but apparently they have no money to invest in hiring and – more importantly – retaining front-line staff.”
A workforce shortage has been plaguing hospitals all over the state – and the country – for months. Unionized workers have spoken out about the shortage in a series of gatherings at multiple state hospitals, including an informational picketing held at Women & Infants last month. Jessica Simpson, a registered nurse in the float pool, said she is concerned about the staffing shortage ahead of the holiday season.
“In the LDR, where I work, we do not have nearly enough nurses scheduled, and when my co-workers and I asked management for a plan, we are met with a general lack of urgency and concern,” Simpson said. “Of course I want to be home with my family on Christmas Eve, but I worry about the health and safety of mothers and babies in such circumstances. Nurses are killing themselves to make it look like nothing’s wrong, but something is wrong and that’s why qualified nurses are leaving in droves.”
In response to the shortage, workers are asking management to invest part of the $45 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds that Rhode Island hospitals received to find solutions for the staffing shortage, including competitive wage increases, safer staffing levels, free or reduced training, and career development.
Shannon Sullivan, president and chief operating officer of Women & Infants Hospital, said the hospital continues to post vacancies online and encourages those interested to apply.
“As is the case with health care systems across the nation, and other entities beyond health care, workforce shortages are an issue that we will continue to face in the best way that we know how,” Sullivan said. “Caregivers have always shared a special type of weight in their day-to-day lives, as there are other humans who depend on them, and that is what we are here to do – help patients, our neighbors, as best we can. Please reach out if you or someone you know would like to come to do something you love, with us, here at Women & Infants.”
Claudia Chiappa is a PBN staff writer. You may contact her at Chiappa@PBN.com.
