Hospital nurses promise no abandonment of work

Nurses at the Commonwealth Health Center have vowed to stay on and continue to do their job despite the many challenges they are experiencing, among them uncertainties in their salaries and benefits.

CHC nursing director Leticia Reyes made this assurance yesterday in light of speculations that nurses, doctors, and other staffers are considering a walkout due to the worsening situation at the public hospital, which also lacks physicians, medical supplies, and equipment.

Reyes described her communication with the nursing staff as “constant and open” since taking over the post on Jan. 9. Their concerns and issues, Reyes said, have been brought to the Commonwealth Health Corp.’s attention.

The hospital has a total of 167 nurses: licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and nursing assistants. The current staffing is a reduction from the 172 FTEs early last year and over 200 nurses two years ago.

One nurse will leave the hospital in April to relocate to the U.S. mainland but Reyes assured that this employee’s departure has nothing to do with the delayed salaries and benefits as she had already finalized her plans since last year.

“Although there are nurses who verbalized their disappointment, I really commend their dedication to their jobs. They’re still here and maintain their professionalism at all times and deliver to the expectations,” said Reyes.

As far as the hospital’s nurses are concerned, she said there is no secret gathering or meeting that’s taking place to plan for a “walkout” or “abandonment of post.”

She said the employees’ reaction were only natural when they did not get their salary and benefits on time. “But nurses do understand the corporation’s situation, which is undergoing critical transition,” she added.

Reyes assured that the salaries of all nurses for the last payroll have been released.

According to her, the corporation is doing its best to fulfill its obligation to employees, including the release of their housing allowance, which will be four months delayed this week.

She admitted that the corporation cannot give a definite date as to when these checks will be issued, citing the pending legislation that will allow the corporation to obtain a line of credit from the Marianas Public Land Trust.

She is confident that the housing allowance for off-island hires will be maintained.

Reyes also disclosed that no nursing position is being opened unless it is an important replacement. She is directed to maintain the 167 FTEs for nurses until the financial capability of the organization improves.

With one nursing post to become vacant next month, she plans a lateral transfer of one nurse from other stations.

Although the 167 nurses are not enough, Reyes said the delivery of quality healthcare at CHC is not being compromised.

Saipan Tribune learned that CHC has a ratio of one nurse for every five patients. In excess of the maximum five patients, an additional nurse is called in to render overtime.

Reyes said all nurses are working 80-hour biweekly and receive salaries that are still within the range. Compared to Guam, she said a CHC nurse’s salary is just slightly lower. She refused to disclose the exact amount.