Nurses at Saint Louis University Hospital Set to Strike for Patient Safety and Nurse Retention

Members of the National Nurses Organizing Committee (NNOC), an affiliate of National Nurses United (NNU), who work at Saint Louis University Hospital (SLUH) have announced their intention to hold a one-day strike to push for patient safety and nurse retention. The proposed strike, according to the nurses, is a response to the deteriorating conditions for patient care, along with the ongoing issues regarding nurse recruitment and retention, aggravated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Deteriorating Conditions for Patient Care

The nurses allege that SSM Health, the hospital management, has not taken adequate measures to maintain optimal conditions for patient care. In light of the pandemic, the nurses argue, the need for a robust healthcare infrastructure is needed now more than ever. However, they allege that hospital management has failed to attract and retain nursing staff, which has led to staffing shortages and subsequently impacted patient care.

Moreover, the nurses also raised concerns about the lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which has become a recurring issue across the world amid the pandemic. The combination of staffing shortages and inadequate protective measures, they believe, has resulted in a significant drop in the quality of care for patients.

Nurse Recruitment and Retention

Aside from the issue of patient care, the nurses at SLUH pointed out the ongoing issues with nurse recruitment and retention. They indicated that the hospital administration’s inability to create a safe and conducive working environment has led to high turnover rates among nursing staff.

The nurses claim that the terms of their employment, including overtime pay, have been changed without their consent. They also cited a lack of transparency in scheduling and planning, which has added to the ongoing stress and uncertainty.

The One-day Strike and its Implications

In light of these issues, the nurses at SLUH declared their intention to hold a one-day strike as a sign of protest. This decision comes after several weeks of negotiations between NNOC and SSM Health that ended in a deadlock, with no satisfactory solution to the concerns raised by the nursing staff.

The one-day strike is not only a symbol of the nurses’ discontent with the current situation but also aims to spur the hospital management into taking concrete steps to improve conditions. The nurses believe that these improvements will not only contribute to a safer and more efficient working environment, but also enhance patient care and safety.

However, the implications of the one-day strike are far-reaching. It signals the increasing dissatisfaction among healthcare workers concerning their working conditions, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, it reveals the urgent need for hospital administrations across the country to address not only the issue of patient safety, but also nurse recruitment and retention.

Conclusion

The planned one-day strike by the nurses at Saint Louis University Hospital underlines the urgent need for improved working conditions, patient safety, and nurse retention. The strike is a clear indication of the growing discontent among nurses concerning their working environment, an issue that has been exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This situation calls for immediate attention and concrete action from hospital administrations to ensure the safety and satisfaction of both patients and healthcare workers.

Original Article: https://www.nationalnursesunited.org/press/sluh-nurses-set-to-hold-one-day-strike-for-patient-safety-and-nurse-retention