On Wednesday afternoon, a group of nurses convened outside Research Medical Center, demanding an improved quality of life while on the job.
The employees are demanding improved wages and increased staffing levels.
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Nurses across the nation express similar concerns and bring attention to the same issues.
As negotiations take place with the parent company of the hospital, HCA Healthcare, this is just one aspect of the process.
Research Medical Center has a distinctive requirement for security measures that set it apart from other institutions.
Registered Nurse Jessica Wheat emphasized the importance of having an adequate number of staff to ensure smooth operations. “Having enough staff is always crucial,” she stated.
Wheat is primarily focused on addressing this concern, but it’s important to note that this is not a problem exclusive to their locality.
The concern about the availability of enough nurses to provide care is shared by nurses not only in El Paso but also in Nashville and Orlando.
Wheat emphasized the importance of having and keeping a skilled staff.
Ensuring safety is a paramount concern for Research Medical Center, both within and outside of their facility.
Registered Nurse Zach Zelinski believes that nursing fatigue is a genuine issue, especially at Research. He has seen many of his colleagues leave due to this problem. Zach feels that safety concerns should not be a constant worry for healthcare professionals while they are at work.
Working in the emergency department, Zelinski’s primary concern is the possibility of weapons making their way past security and into the building.
“When it comes to enhancing security measures, I believe we need metal detectors installed at all entrances accessible to patients and visitors. Additionally, we could benefit from having more officers present,” he expressed when asked about his recommendations.
Research is an area where crime is prevalent, especially in the parking lots. While crime can occur anywhere, these areas are particularly susceptible to incidents.
Since January, the immediate vicinity of the hospital has witnessed over 20 cases of vehicle theft.
Numerous thefts have been reported in addition to the aforementioned number.
Wheat expressed understanding that unexpected events can occur in life, but emphasized that when they happen on one’s property or facility, it is important to lend a helping hand. “We would appreciate your assistance when things go awry,” he stated.
KSHB 41 received a statement from HCA Health Midwest.
HCA Midwest Health assures that their staffing is both safe and appropriate. They take pride in offering high-quality and compassionate care, which has been recognized by reputable third-party patient safety ratings organizations such as Healthgrades. Over the years, HCA Midwest Health has increased its nursing workforce by hiring more than 1,000 staff members for its nursing organization at both Research Medical Center and Menorah Medical Center. They are also investing $34.5 million in Research College of Nursing from HCA Healthcare to build their nursing pipeline. Such initiatives are a common occurrence during negotiations between a union and an employer, which is currently underway with NNU. The recent activity is similar to actions taken by NNU against health systems across the country. HCA Midwest Health values its nurses and hopes to arrive at a fair and reasonable agreement on a new contract soon.
