In a passionate demonstration of solidarity, nurses and healthcare workers at UCSD Health held a protest on Thursday.
This protest was in demand of the reversal of recent layoffs that have left over 200 employees without jobs, including 22 registered nurses represented by the California Nursing Association.
The layoffs have heightened concerns about patient care and staffing shortages in an already strained healthcare environment.
Among those affected by the layoffs was Candy Stangler, a nursing assistant in post-partum care.
Stangler received her layoff notice via email while on medical leave, just one month before the birth of her child.
“How am I going to pay for the birth of my baby?” she lamented.
“It was a whirlwind of emotions. One minute I was crying, then it was ‘how could they?’ I got angry.”
Stangler highlighted the challenges facing her unit before the layoffs, noting a critical shortage of staff as only two nursing assistants were available per shift to care for more than 30 new mothers and their infants.
“Now, our staffing has been cut in half. How are we going to give these patients what they need?” she asked.
UCSD Health’s Defense: Claims of Compliance with Staffing Ratios
Despite the uproar, UCSD Health defended its decision, asserting that it continues to meet or exceed all nurse-to-patient staffing ratios mandated by California law.
“We actively ensure that our staffing levels support the health and well-being of our patients and care teams across all of our clinics and hospitals,” the institution stated.
However, many nurses at the protest voiced skepticism regarding the administration’s claims.
One nurse pointed out, “They don’t work in the hospital; they don’t know anything.
“Our emergency room is bursting at the seams, with inpatients waiting for a bed for sometimes days.”
UCSD Health attributed the layoffs to mounting financial pressures stemming from federal impacts on healthcare, regulatory uncertainties, and rising care costs.
However, protesters challenged this rationale, arguing that the health system has made substantial profits—reportedly hundreds of millions of dollars—since the onset of the pandemic.
“Their executives are making exorbitant salaries while we are left to pick up the pieces,” another protester asserted.
Contract Negotiations and Future Actions
As tensions rise, the nurses are preparing for contract negotiations scheduled for August, where they plan to include the reversal of layoffs as a key demand.
Union leaders are urging the administration to reconsider its decision, emphasizing the importance of adequate staffing for ensuring quality patient care.
“We are not just fighting for our jobs; we are fighting for the patients who rely on us,” said a representative from the California Nursing Association.
“Our community deserves better, and we are committed to advocating for their health and well-being.”
The protest has garnered support from various community members and local organizations, highlighting the interconnectedness of healthcare and community welfare.
As the healthcare sector continues to grapple with staffing shortages and mounting pressures, the actions taken by UCSD Health could set a precedent for other institutions facing similar challenges.
A Call for Action
The ongoing layoffs at UCSD Health have sparked a significant outcry from healthcare workers and the community alike.
As the situation unfolds, the call for action grows louder, with nurses and their supporters demanding accountability and a commitment to patient care.
The upcoming contract negotiations will be crucial in determining the future of staffing and patient care at UCSD Health.
“We cannot stand by while our healthcare system is compromised,” concluded Stangler. “We are prepared to fight for our patients and our profession.”
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